There is no simple way. You can vote based on an ideological preference or vote based on a rational basis voting for things that are effective, or you can vote for the populist choice. Anyway is fine but it's never simple.
A Voice Vote
The vote in congress to annex Texas
because u have to vote for them to represent you.
so that the country knows
No.
There are no middlemen between congress and bureaucracy, they are the same thing. The three levels of government are executive, judicial and legislative.
They found out who didn't vote and make them vote.
Roll-Call Vote
When members of Congress vote with their political party, they are acting as partisan.
Because you vote for them to represent you.
nae
no