Votetocracy
Understanding Congress Part 7 of 7: The Influence Landscape
Influence takes many forms in a complicated web of direct spending and political advocacy. This part is designed to provide and overview of the different types of efforts used to gain influence with decision-makers in Congress.
Understanding Congress Part 6 of 7: How Votetocracy can help Americans
Votetocracy is designed to give Americans a greater collective impact on the Congressional decisions. This part covers how Votetocracy works and the way in which we help measure improve communications with Congress.
Understanding Congress Part 5 of 7: Communicating with Congress
As part 1 of this series suggests, one of the primary purposes of Congress in a representative democracy is to represent their constituents. So how then do Americans have their voice heard? This part is designed to provide guidance in that effort.
Understanding Congress Part 4 of 7: Types of Bills
There are 5 types of bills used by Congress to make the laws of our nation. This part describes each of those types and how they are used.
Understanding Congress Part 3 of 7: How are laws are made
The process is complex. Of the tens of thousands of bills in one 2 year session on ly a small percentage ever become law. This part describes that process.
Understanding Congress Part 2 of 7: Making sense of Congressional Terminology
Cloture, On motion, or Pocket Veto. Terms foreign to many of Americans make it difficult to understand what the bills in Congress are really about. This part breaks down many of these terms we can all be better informed.
What is an independent agency
An "independent agency" is not considered part of any executive departments. Independent agencies are established through laws passed by Congress. Many have termed these agencies as the "Fourth Branch" or unofficial branch of government. Read on to see examples of these agencies.
General Services Administration
The GSA was established in 1948 with the following mission: "help federal agencies better serve the public by offering, at best value, superior workplaces, expert solutions, acquisition services and management policies."
Understanding executive orders and the powers they grant
An executive order is any directive issued by the leader of the executive branch. Most often used by Presidents, Executive Orders can be directives to wage war for example. In this post we provide a brief history of their use and the types of orders that have given.
How many Senators and Representatives are there in Congress?
The number of Senators is fixed at two per state, equaling 100 Senators. The number of members in the House of Representatives is a different story and is based on population. Read on to learn more about how representation is determined.
Understanding Congress Part 1 of 7: Congress Overview
Our democracy is a representative democracy where those in Congress represent us. This overview describes the basics of how our Congress works. Covering the two chambers - Senate and The House of Representatives and their exclusive powers as well as responsibilities of different people and committees in each chamber.
Communicating with Congress
Your elected officials represent you whether you voted for them or not. But they and their offices are busy people so communications should be a brief and clear as possible. Choose the way to communicate above that best fits your goals for communicating.
