Question

What are some things that could influence a congressman/congresswoman when making decisions?

Answer 1

Answer:

In the first place, there are some particular interest groups that can influence lawmakers´decision-making. In the first place, particular lobbies - Wall Street corporations, big donors to campaign, foreign companies, unions - can put pressure on congressmen or congresswomen in order to get bills passed that serve their interests or give them an advantage, or they can court them through donations, promises of votes, etc. Secondly, Congress members put a lot of attention to public issues that are extremely sensitive to their voters and usually tilt toward the position of a majority. Thirdly, there are sometimes issues that are regarded as by party leaders as crucial and party loyalty is demanded or expected when voting in the floor takes place. And fourthly, sometimes ongoing or future events are so important that they determine outcomes; for example, very few Congress members - both Democrats and Republicans - voted against giving president George W. Bush powers to go to war in Iraq; many were afraid of being called "unpatriotic."

Explanation: