NO! NO! NO! They are supposed to be representing the area that elected them first!
When members of Congress vote with their political party, they are acting as partisan.
To satisfy the members of their political party.
To satisfy the members of their political party.
To satisfy the members of their political party.
Members vote at a party caucus before Congress organizes
Members vote at a party caucus before Congress organizes
Members vote at a party caucus before Congress organizes
Since the 1990s, there has been a stronger control by congressional party leaders on individual members including higher rates of party voting. Members of congress now routinely vote with their party at rates as high as 60 or 70 percent.
When members of Congress vote with their political party, they are acting as partisans. Partisanship reflects their alignment with the beliefs and policies of their political party, often prioritizing party loyalty over individual judgment or constituent preferences. This behavior can influence legislative decisions and the overall direction of policy-making within Congress.
The speaker of the house gets chosen by a vote of the members of the house. The constitution does NOT require that the speaker be an elected member of congress.
Members of Congress often support each other based on a simple promise of "I'll vote for 'x' if you vote for 'y.'" This practice of making these informal promises of support is called logrolling. Party leaders and whips keep track of vote debts between party members and use them to gain support when important party-sponsored legislation must be passed.
Members of Congress often vote as partisans due to a combination of factors, including party loyalty, ideological alignment, and the influence of party leadership. Partisan voting can help maintain party unity and advance a cohesive legislative agenda, reflecting the interests of their constituents who typically align with a particular party. Additionally, the pressures of re-election and campaign financing can further incentivize members to adhere to party lines. This behavior reinforces the partisan divide in Congress and can impact bipartisan cooperation.