Congresswoman Lowey Succeeds in the Juggling of the Two Congresses

The Two Congresses are as follows: members of Congress must be able to work with one another to pass legislation (law-making), the first Congress, while also pleasing their constituents and constantly running for reelection, the second Congress (representation). Congresswoman Nita Lowey is a perfect example of why the Two Congresses can work well with one another.

Lowey has exhibited countless times where she has a focus on passing major legislation while never forgetting about her constituents at home. Just last week we saw Congresswoman Lowey participating in the Budget Committee Conference meetings, a major legislative battle, while also appearing at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, New York to discuss federal investments for the sciences. (http://2congressesatwork.blogspot.com/2013/11/pushing-for-passage-of-budget-quickly.html) After the government shutdown we also saw Lowey right back in her home district praising the work done on Gedney Yard in White Plains, which FEMA gave $48 million in relief funds to after Superstorm Sandy. (http://2congressesatwork.blogspot.com/2013/11/pleasing-her-constituents-making-her.html) During the government shutdown itself Lowey made sure to be vocal not only nationally, but in her home district as well. She wrote a piece for the local paper in her district with statements about the shutdown and her stance on it. (http://2congressesatwork.blogspot.com/2013/10/30-letters-later-nothing.html) Congresswoman Lowey also took advantage of the time in the interim before the House vote prior to the government shutdown and went home. She spoke at the Port Chester Senior Care Center about healthcare and also about the strong party lines that needed to be broken down. Lowey juggles the two congresses very nicely. (http://2congressesatwork.blogspot.com/2013/09/scaremongering-or-just-plain-fact.html)

While Congresswoman Lowey does prove that the two congresses CAN work, it definitely can be seen by her AND throughout Congress that they cannot work in an even way. If there is a national crisis, a Member of Congress is likely to focus all of his or her efforts on that problem and not deal directly with his or her constituents at that time. On the other hand, if there is a local emergency, the Member of Congress is likely to go home to their district (like we saw in House of Cards). The Two Congresses work, but only in a give and take sort of way. Basically, some weeks a Member of Congress may be focused on legislation while another week they will be more focused on their constituents.