This document discusses how representative Congress is in the United States. It examines representation in terms of gender, race, age, education, religion, and geographical region. Congress has historically been dominated by older, highly educated, Christian white men. While women now make up around 20% of Congress, racial minorities and younger people remain underrepresented. The document also questions whether members of Congress represent the views of their constituents through their actions and votes.

1. HOW REPRESENTATIVE
IS CONGRESS?

2. Meaning of the term
 2 meanings – acting for and standing for
 Acting for – should elected officials
represent the national interest (Burke) or
should they reflect the interests of a
locality (Madison)
 Standing for – resemblance model – to
what extent representatives look like
those they are representing –
race, gender, age profession, re

3. Standing for - gender
 Historically Congress seen as a men’s club
 110th Congress -2007-08-women constituted
just 16% of Senate & 16% of the House-
why?
 Need to raise the level of female
representation in state legislatures
 Fewer women chosen as major party
candidates in congressional elections
 Growth of women in leadership positions:
Speaker Pelosi; Boxer & Feinstein –
committee chairs

4. Race
 The 2 largest racial minority
groups, hispanics and African Americans
poorly represented
 Since the end of the Civil War 101 African
American members of Congress
 Linked to their representation within the
population of the various states eg. New York
9 African American members since 1929
 Hispanics- about 6% of House membership 3
Senators. This may improva as this
community grows and ages.

5. Other representational factors
 Age – elderly – average age in 2007 – House
56, Senate 62
 Education-highly educated dominated by
lawyers
 Re –representative in terms of Christian
churches. Nov 2006, first Muslim elected to
Congress – Ellison – Democrat- Minnesota
 Geographical region –founding fathers-
Senate small population states; House –
large population states
 Does it matter?

6. Representing constituents
 Do members represent the views of their
constituents?
 Members of the House appear to put
greater emphasis on this than Senators -
2year terms
 Members can represent their constituents
through speeches on the floor, voting and
committees
 Should they be a delegate or trustee?