Constituent Representation Quotes

A Senate chosen for six years will, in most instances, be an appointment for life, as the influence of such a body over the minds of the people will be coequal to the extensive powers with which they are vested, and they will not only forget, but be forgotten by their constituents.

I think what we have to do is speak about the issues and speak about my record.

Every senator needs to stand up and represent their constituents - not big business, not the ACLU, not activist groups, not political interests, but the American interests, the workers' interests.

I respect Sen. Elliott and expect that she will be a strong opponent.

You've got just one year when Congress treats you right. Then they start worrying about themselves.

In government offices which are sensitive to the vehemence and passion of mass sentiment public men have no sure tenure. They are in effect perpetual office seekers, always on trial for their political lives, always required to court their restless constituents.

We represent our constituents. And so they don't get to dictate policy.

I believe we need new leadership to put the partisan gridlock behind us, and I promised my constituents I would vote for new leadership.

The people of New Jersey sent me to Congress because they are tired of partisan gridlock. They want to see our Congress get to work on legislation that will make people's lives better.

My responsibilities as the governor are more than my neighbor’s and my family.

I wasn't there for one constituent; I was there for a major economic interest of my state.

The senator who is driving you crazy today may be with you tomorrow.

As your US Senator, Im not in the business of creating jobs.

I have seen the times when the grassroots has moved the Congress. We listen way more often to our constituents than the lobbyists. And the grassroots are going to have to do it.

The most effective executive branch officials try to help legislators develop explanations for the votes they are being asked to take.

If you want to be a policy maker, run for office.

Having been in Congress, you know that's part of our responsibility the constituent has a problem, We're supposed to write back and say, 'Well I can't do anything' That's not what they elect you for.

People may have their opinions about Senator Helms, but he was highly effective and he took care of his constituency. I learned all those lessons from him, and I bring a great deal to the table because of that.

The function of the politician, therefore, is one of continuous watchfulness and activity, and he must have intimate knowledge of details if he would work out grand results.

A single assembly is apt to grow ambitious, and after a time will not hesitate to vote itself perpetual. This was one fault of the Long Parliament; but more remarkably of Holland, whose assembly first voted themselves from annual to septennial, then for life, and after a course of years, that all vacancies happening by death or otherwise, should be filled by themselves, without any application to constituents at all.

If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send one hundred and fifty lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour?

The debate on healthcare was not done like most of our conferences are done - meaning it was not all on television. There was this procedural feeling that the bill wasn't done thoroughly and didn't reflect peoples' wishes. It's not coincidence that upwards of 60 percent of folks in my district are against it.

In our talk a few days ago, you indicated that my candidacy for Congress on the Republican ticket would depend on my compliance with certain minimum requirements. Desirable and comfortable as a party nomination may be, I cannot sacrifice principle for the sake of party nomination or anything else. During my time in the House I ... voted according to my best judgement, and in a manner which I believed represented the wishes of the people of my district. The platform of the Republican party ... makes no appeal to the hope of the people whom I represent.

Prosecuting me as an elected politician for expressing the opinions of my constituents is absurd.

It is a tenet of representative democracy that MPs are not delegates for their constituents. This means that their decisions and actions are ultimately governed by putting the best interests of all their constituency before all else.