Committees of the United States Congress

12/2/09 9:01 PM Congress has a split personality: law making institution vs. representative assembly Members of Congress perceive their roles differently: Delegate: a view of the role of the legislators that holds that they should represent the views of their constituents even when personally holding different views Trustee: A view of the role of the legislatures that holds that they should vote independently based on their judgment of the facts Most legislators switch back and fourth between roles Legislators as Lawmakers About 5,000 bills are introduced in the House every two years About 3,000 bills are introduced in the Senate every two years When members of Congress vote, they are influenced by: Their own philosophy Their perception of their constituents? interests