Congress 101
Plain-English explainers for civic data
Understanding how Congress works helps you interpret the data on VOC·US. These guides cover the basics — written at a level that assumes no prior political knowledge.
📜How a Bill Becomes Law
1. Introduction
Any member of Congress can introduce a bill. Bills in the House start with 'H.R.' (House Resolution) and in the Senate with 'S.' The member who introduces it is called the bill's sponsor.
2. Committee Review
Most bills go to a specialized committee (like the Senate Finance Committee for tax bills, or the House Armed Services Committee for defense). The committee can hold hearings, make changes, or simply ignore the bill — thousands of bills die in committee every year.
3. Floor Vote
If a committee approves a bill, it goes to the full House or Senate for a vote. This is where roll-call votes happen — the votes you see on VOC·US. A simple majority (51%) is needed to pass most bills. The Senate requires 60 votes to overcome a filibuster (called a 'cloture vote').
4. Other Chamber
After passing one chamber, the bill goes to the other. Both the House AND Senate must pass the exact same version of a bill. If they differ, a 'conference committee' works out the differences.
5. Presidential Action
If both chambers pass the bill, it goes to the President. The President can sign it into law, veto it (reject it), or let it become law without signature after 10 days. Congress can override a veto with a 2/3 majority vote in both chambers.
🏛️House vs. Senate: Key Differences
| Feature | House of Representatives | U.S. Senate |
|---|---|---|
| Members | 435 (based on population) | 100 (2 per state) |
| Term Length | 2 years | 6 years |
| Up for Election | All 435 every 2 years | ~1/3 every 2 years |
| Minimum Age | 25 years old | 30 years old |
| Special Power | Must originate revenue bills | Confirms presidential appointments |
| Filibuster | Not allowed | Allowed (needs 60 votes to end) |
| Speaker/Leader | Speaker of the House | Senate Majority Leader |
📊What Is a Missed Vote?
Definition
A missed vote (also called an 'abstention' or 'not voting') is when a member of Congress was absent for a roll-call vote on the floor. Unlike 'PRESENT' votes — where a member deliberately abstains — missed votes typically mean the member wasn't there at all.
National Average
The national average for missed votes is approximately 3–5% per term. Members miss votes for many reasons: travel, illness, constituent meetings, or fundraising. However, consistent high absence rates are a meaningful accountability signal.
How VOC·US Shows It
VOC·US displays the missed vote percentage on every member profile. The total is calculated as: (missed votes ÷ total roll-call votes) × 100. We exclude procedural votes from the calculation, focusing on substantive legislation.
Important Context
Party leaders sometimes allow members from competitive districts to skip controversial votes to avoid political damage. This is a real political strategy — which is why missed votes can be as meaningful as the votes cast.
🗳️What Does 'Party Alignment' Mean?
Definition
Party alignment (also called party-line voting) measures what percentage of the time a member votes the same way as the majority of their party. A 97% party alignment score means the member voted with their party on 97 out of 100 contested votes.
How It's Calculated
VOC·US calculates party alignment as: (votes with party majority ÷ total votes cast) × 100. We only count votes where a clear party majority exists — not unanimous votes where both parties agree.
What It Doesn't Mean
A high party alignment score is not automatically 'good' or 'bad.' Some voters prefer a representative who votes consistently with their party's platform. Others want an independent voice. VOC·US presents the data — you decide what it means for your representative.
Historical Context
Party-line voting has increased significantly since the 1970s. In the 1970s, the average House member voted with their party about 60-65% of the time. Today, that average is above 90%. This reflects increasing political polarization.
💰How to Read Campaign Finance Data
What the FEC Is
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is the official U.S. government agency that regulates campaign finance. By law, candidates must disclose all contributions over $200 and all significant expenditures. This data is public and updated weekly.
Individual vs. PAC Contributions
Individual contributions come from private citizens (max $3,300 per election in 2024). PAC contributions come from Political Action Committees — organized groups representing industries, unions, or issue advocacy organizations. PACs can give up to $5,000 per election directly to a candidate. Super PACs can spend unlimited amounts but cannot coordinate directly with campaigns.
Donor Industries
VOC·US uses categories from the FEC and Center for Responsive Politics to group donors by industry (Finance, Healthcare, Real Estate, etc.). This grouping shows which industries have the most financial stake in a representative's decisions. A senator who receives $200,000 from pharmaceutical companies and then votes against drug price controls is a concrete example of why this data matters.
Election Cycles
Campaign finance data is tracked by election cycle (e.g., the 2024 cycle covers Jan 2023 – Nov 2024). A House member's 2024 cycle total includes all fundraising for their 2024 re-election. Senate members have 6-year cycles, so their totals accumulate over a longer period.
What It Doesn't Prove
Campaign finance data shows correlation, not causation. A representative receiving money from an industry doesn't prove they vote for that industry's benefit. VOC·US presents both finance data and voting records — making the connection between the two is up to you.
📞How to Contact Your Representative
Phone Calls (Most Effective)
Congressional staff track the volume of constituent calls on specific issues. A phone call to your representative's Washington D.C. office or district office is generally considered the most effective form of contact. Be brief: state your name, ZIP code, and what you want the member to do. Most calls are logged as a tally by issue.
Written Letters / Email
Written letters to district offices carry significant weight — they take more effort than a phone call, which signals stronger conviction. Emails to official .gov addresses are also logged. Avoid copy-paste petition emails — personalized messages get more attention than identical form letters.
Town Halls
Members of Congress are required to hold constituent meetings and town halls, especially during recess periods. Attending in person and asking a direct question on the record is powerful — it creates an accountable, public moment.
Social Media
@-mentioning a member on X/Twitter or posting on their official Facebook page creates public pressure. Congressional social media teams monitor mentions closely. Public pressure combined with private constituent contact is the most effective combination.
Find Their Contact Info
Every member profile on VOC·US includes a link to their official .gov website where contact information is listed. The Capitol switchboard (202-224-3121) can connect you to any member's office.
Official Resources