be aware of two significant facts about the legislative process. First, almost all legislation is considered in subcommittees composed of from six to ten members. Second, most legislation enacted into law passes without any changes in the way a bill is reported from committee. With this background, don’t interest groups have to influence only a few members of congress to be successful? Why does congress rubber-stamp the work of it committees?
This and some of your other questions seem to take very cynical views of our government and American citizens.
The purpose of a committee is to research an issue and make recommendations to the body as a whole. No individual Congressperson has the time or resources to thoroughly research every bill.
The legislative process in the United States can be complex, but there are a couple of significant facts that can provide some insight. Firstly, it is true that almost all legislation is initially considered in subcommittees, which are smaller groups composed of six to ten members. These subcommittees are tasked with examining the details of proposed bills and conducting hearings to gather information and perspectives on the legislation.
Secondly, it is indeed the case that most legislation enacted into law passes without significant changes from the version reported by the committees. This means that once a bill successfully goes through the subcommittee and the full committee, it is typically not extensively altered during the legislative process.
Now, let's address your question about the influence of interest groups and why Congress often "rubber-stamps" the work of its committees.
1. Influence of Interest Groups:
Despite the smaller size of subcommittees, interest groups still need to exert influence on a broader scale for their efforts to be successful. While they may initially focus on engaging with key members of the subcommittee, their goal is often to build widespread support among members of Congress in order to garner broader consensus and increase their chances of success. By targeting a larger number of lawmakers, interest groups aim to maximize their impact. So, although the subcommittee is the starting point, successful lobbying efforts typically extend beyond just a few members.
2. The Rubber-Stamping of Committees:
One reason why committees often have significant influence in shaping legislation is that they consist of subject matter experts who possess specialized knowledge in their respective policy areas. Committee members are typically chosen based on their expertise or prior experience with the subject matter under consideration. As a result, when bills are reported out of committee, they generally represent a thorough examination of the proposed legislation and incorporate the expertise and insights of the committee members. This level of expertise can contribute to a greater level of trust and confidence among their fellow lawmakers. As a result, the full Congress tends to give considerable weight to the committee's recommendations when voting on legislation.
However, it is important to note that the level of scrutiny and potential for change can vary depending on the specific political dynamics, the level of controversy surrounding a particular bill, and the influence exerted by interest groups and other stakeholders. The rubber-stamping of committees is not always absolute, and there are instances where legislation can undergo significant changes even after being reported out of committee.