Stevens High School

United States Capitol Building

  • The Capitol Building is the meeting place for Congress in Washington, D.C.

  • Houses the Senate and the House of Representatives, with the Rotunda in the center.

  • Impressive architecture and an important historical site.

  • Proximity to other landmarks like the White House and the Supreme Court allows for easier navigation in the area.

  • Constant activity takes place within this massive structure.

Congress Overview

  • Data is based on the current Congress with upcoming changes expected due to specific members joining President-elect Trump's cabinet.

  • This may lead to new appointments and fluctuations in demographics within Congress.

  • Current Congress demographics:

    • Average member: white male in late fifties.

    • Female representation: 26 out of 100 Senators and 101 out of 435 Representatives, the highest numbers in history yet still below population percentages.

    • Diversity: 22% of Congress members are nonwhite, while 39% of the general population is nonwhite.

    • Educational background: 94% of Congress members have a college degree, with one-third being lawyers.

Roles of Congress Members

  1. Legislator: Responsibilities include studying issues and creating public policy.

  2. Agent of Constituents: Representing the interests of all constituents, regardless of voting preference.

  3. Committee Member: Essential work occurs in committees where Congress members serve on multiple committees.

  4. Servant to Constituents: Each member has a dedicated office staff to assist constituents with various needs such as property taxes and social security.

  5. Politician: Balancing constituent needs with party alignment, which may not always align.

Decision-making Roles of Congress Members

  • Types of Decision Makers:

    1. Trustee: Votes based on constituents' preferences, regardless of personal opinion.

    2. Delegate: Makes decisions based on personal experience with an effort to serve constituents' best interests.

    3. Political: Aims to incorporate elements from both the trustee and delegate models, adapting style based on the issue at hand.

Future Focus

  • Continued exploration of the legislative branch with projects similar to those undertaken for the executive branch.