Module 5: Minority Party

In a democracy the role of the Minority Party is to aid in “mobilization congressional majorities and in shaping public policy” (Heatherington and Keefe, 175). In the most recent past presidencies when congress had a less divided majority, it seemed as though the main responsibility of the Minority party job was to take a stand against the majority’s legislation and administrative programs. With new Democrats having such a strong role in congress this presidency, policy advocacy on the Republican front appears to be pointless. So why do the 214 Republicans still show up to work?

While the Democrats hold the majority and can produce legislation without the support of the Republicans, the Republicans are still representatives. They represent the views of a good chunk of the population. Though it is important for compromise and bipartisanship to accomplish goals in congress, it is also the responsibility of the representatives to represent those that put them into office.

In addition to the responsibility to the people, the power of persuasion is still very much important. Congressional Democrats fall on different positions on the ideological spectrum. Many moderate Democrats may side with less conservative Republicans and this alone provides incentive for Republicans to state their views and oppositions. Democrats need to adhere to a system of checks-and-balances and without opposition, this would be very difficult.

Another reason the Republicans may be motivated to show up for work in congress is that if they have a successful opposition to the Democrats, meaning a plan the Democrats with through with fails, they have the ability to finger-point. A failure in any realm is negative for the country, but positive for the opposition party that wants to regain a majority.