debates about the adequacy of its represenatvie role

• adeqaute representation

  The 115th Congress was the most racially and ethnically diverse in history, with 19% non-white members (up from 15% in the 114th).

  • Despite low overall approval for Congress, most individual congresspeople have over 50% approval from their constituents.
  • American citizens are ideologically divided, especially along urban/rural lines, which is reflected in the diverse ideologies in Congress.
• Example of adequate representation

  • Congress represents a wide range of ideologies.
  • Within the Republicans, there are libertarians such as Rand Paul, moderates such as Susan Collins, and Tea Party members such as Ted Cruz.
• inadequate: gerrymandering

  • Gerrymandering by state legislatures leads to underrepresentation of minorities in the House.
  • Cracking splits groups of voters into smaller districts to prevent a majority.
  • Packing concentrates voters into one district to limit one party’s seats.
  • Voting district lines are often drawn by partisan committees to benefit their own party.
• inadequaet- relction

  • Short terms in the House make representatives focus more on re-election than constituents' needs.
  • This makes them vulnerable to the influence of corporations and pressure groups that fund their campaigns.
  • Example: Despite 90% of Americans supporting background checks for gun owners, measures are often blocked by Congresspeople funded by the NRA.