Legislators

Develop laws and statutes at the Federal, State, or local level.

tasks

Tasks

• Analyze and understand the local and national implications of proposed legislation.

• Appoint nominees to leadership posts, or approve such appointments.

• Confer with colleagues to formulate positions and strategies pertaining to pending issues.

• Debate the merits of proposals and bill amendments during floor sessions, following the appropriate rules of procedure.

• Develop expertise in subject matters related to committee assignments.

• Hear testimony from constituents, representatives of interest groups, board and commission members, and others with an interest in bills or issues under consideration.

• Keep abreast of the issues affecting constituents by making personal visits and phone calls, reading local newspapers, and viewing or listening to local broadcasts.

• Maintain knowledge of relevant national and international current events.

• Make decisions that balance the perspectives of private citizens, public officials, and party leaders.

• Negotiate with colleagues or members of other political parties in order to reconcile differing interests, and to create policies and agreements.