The United States Congress
The United States Congress is the nation’s lawmaking agency. Congress consists of two houses which are the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress looks like the people it represents because the members of Congress serve the interest of their constituents. Their constituents are the people who are residents of the respective districts where they are elected. The members of Congress must serve the people very well if they have any hopes of staying in the house for long. Every stand or opinion they hold must reflect the perspective of the people that elected them. Every state in the US gets two senators. However, the number of members from each state in the House of Representatives is dependent upon the population in that respective state. For instance, a state with a small population size like Delaware has only one member in the House of Representative while a large one like California has over 50 members in the House of Representatives. Every member in the House of Representatives represents about 700,000 people. Apportioning members according to the population ensures that every person gets equal representation. The senators are elected by the state legislature and serve for a term of 6 years. On the other hand, members of the House of Representatives are directly elected by the voters in the congressional districts to directly represent the interests of the local people. They serve a term of two years. Congress, therefore, looks like the people it represents.
The Role of Congress
The members of Congress act as the agents of the people they represent in various ways. First and foremost Congress is the body charged with the responsibility of making laws on behalf of the people. Members of Congress also have the duty to ensure that public policy is administered in a manner that is consistent with the law. Congress hearings and debates serve as sources of information for the citizens on the activities and the programs of the government.
Equal Representation
Congress represents the interests and the opinion of each member in the states equally because the number of members for each state rely on population. People in the states have a chance to choose members who best represent their interests every two years.
