Congress: Duties & Challenges

Congress: Duties & Challenges

Begin watching the following films.

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/fsw.edu?url=https%3a%2f%2ffod.infobase.com%2fPortalPlaylists.aspx%3fwID%3d95547%26xtid%3d5941

Assignment
According to what you learned in the videos,

What is their most important duty?
What are their most challenging responsibilities?
Why do Americans have such a low opinion of members of Congress?
What would it take to change this opinion?
In your opinion, what would it take to change the public’s negative opinion of Congress?
Your assignment should be between 250 and 300 words in length. Submit your assignment as a file upload. Congress: Duties & Challenges

• What is their most important duty?, What are their most challenging responsibilities?, Why do Americans have such a low opinion of members of Congress?, What would it take to change this opinion?, In your opinion, what would change public’s negative view of Congress?

Congress: Duties & Challenges

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Comprehensive Answer (Approx. 270 words)

Members of Congress hold a pivotal responsibility: their most important duty is to make laws that serve the public interest while representing the needs of their constituents. This legislative role—to craft, debate, and enact policies—is central to the functioning of the republic.

However, their responsibilities are fraught with challenges. Congress must negotiate across party lines, manage complex and technical policy issues, respond to lobbying and special interests, and handle procedural roadblocks like the filibuster. These factors not only slow the legislative process but also make it difficult to deliver timely solutions (e.g., polarized gridlock and institutional complexity) Wikipedia+1.

Americans’ low opinion of members of Congress stems largely from perceptions of partisanship, lack of accountability, and self-serving behavior. A 2023 Pew Research report found that only about 26% of U.S. adults view Congress favorably, while 72% hold unfavorable views Pew Research Center. Additionally, many believe lawmakers are disconnected, more influenced by money and donors than the public interest (as highlighted in Republic, Lost) Wikipedia. There’s also Fenno’s paradox: while constituents may dislike Congress overall, they often support their own representatives, illustrating a disconnect between the institution and individual members Wikipedia.

To change public sentiment, structural reforms would be essential. Implementing campaign finance reform, limiting partisan gerrymandering, and increasing transparency and accountability measures would demonstrate responsiveness to constituents’ concerns. Personalized outreach and consistent action on public issues—not just media soundbites—could also rebuild trust.

In my view, restoring the public’s confidence in Congress requires demonstrated responsiveness and ethical leadership—where representatives actively listen, serve their districts faithfully, and visibly prioritize the public good over politics. Congress: Duties & Challenges