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Listed below are Questions and Answers providing general information concerning frequent requests made of Congressman Edwards. 1. How may I contact Congressman Edwards' office to voice my opinions about federal legislation and national policy? 1. Congressman Edwards welcomes the opinions and comments of his constituents on federal issues that are of concern to them.You may E-mail Congressman Edwards' office by filling out the email form on this site. All comments will be responded to with a written response. Or send your comments on federal legislation by postal mail addressed to: Congressman Chet Edwards U.S. House of Representatives 2369 Rayburn Building Washington, D.C. 20515-4311 You may also call 202-225-6105 or visit the contact information page for more information. 2. How can I purchase an American flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol Building? 2. Congressman Edwards' office is available to arrange for you to purchase an American flag that was flown over the United States Capitol Building. Visit the flag information page, fill out the online form or write to the above address indicating a flag request. Please include the following:1) Your name, mailing address, and phone number 2) Check or money order made out to: "Keeper of the Stationery" 3) Person for whom the flag is to be flown 4) Occasion for which the flag is to be flown (if applicable) 5) Date flag is to be flown over Capitol (if applicable). 3. How can I obtain a nomination to one of the U.S. military academies? 3. Congressman Edwards is permitted to make a limited number of nominations for appointments to the: 4. How can I obtain tour reservations for the White House? 4. Congressman Edwards welcomes the opinions and comments of his constituents on federal issues that are of concern to them.Tours for visiting school groups and organized military veterans groups can be arranged. Please contact the Congressman's Washington, DC office if your school or veterans group would like to visit the White House.5. How can I arrange a visit to the House Chamber? 5. Visit the tour information page and fill out the reservation form. When in Washington, please visit Congressman Edwards' Capitol Hill office in Room 2369, Rayburn House Office Building (on Constitution Ave., N.E., across the street from the U.S. Capitol Building) and pick up passes to the House Chamber's Visitors' Gallery.6. How can I find out about internship opportunities in Congressman Edwards' offices? 6. Congressman Edwards' offices welcome the assistance of interns who wish to experience the inner workings of a House office.Washington: A limited number of volunteer internships are available to students (usually at the college level) in Congressman Edwards' Capitol Hill office. Visit the Internship information page for more information and forms. The first step in the application process is to send a resume, writing sample and cover letter to: Congressman Chet Edwards Attn: Intern Coordinator 2369 Rayburn Building Washington, D.C. 20515-4311 For information about internships in Congressman Edwards' state offices contact them directly. 7. How can I contact Congressman Edwards' offices to request assistance with a bureaucratic problem within the federal government? 7. Congressman Edwards' office is available to assist you in solving difficulties you may have encountered with federal agencies. Visit the Constituent Assistance page for more information.To request assistance, please send a letter explaining the situation, or fill out the Casework Authorization Form. Please send either the letter or the form to the Texas office. Due to federal privacy laws, Congressman Edwards must receive a written request from you in order to contact any agency on your behalf. The letter should include your name, postal address and telephone number. 8. I am from a local government, private company, or organization that would like to request information on the grant process and how I may obtain Congressman Edwards' support on obtaining a grant. How do I do this? 8. One of the best ways local governments and agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations can fund projects is through federal grants, which do not have to be repaid. Grant proposals are competitive in nature and I can in no way influence the decision of the Federal entity involved. Grant proposals must be submitted in writing to Congressman Edwards’ staff person in charge of grant proposals in Washington, DC. If appropriate, a grant support letter from me is sent to the Federal entity giving the grant.9. Can I contact someone in Congressman Edwards' office if I have further questions? 9. Of course, please feel free to contact us. Congressman Edwards maintains an office in Texas to serve you. You may write, phone, fax or email the office. For more information on how to contact Congressman Edwards, visit the contact information page.10. How many Representatives are in the House? How many Senators are there? 10. There are 435 Representatives in the House of Representatives. In the current Congress, there are 253 Democrats and 178 Republicans. There are 100 Senators in the Senate. In the current Congress, there are 57 Democrats, 41 Republicans, and 2 Independent.11. What are the three necessary qualifications to become a member of the House? 11. You must be 25 years old, be a citizen of the US for 7 years, and be an inhabitant of the state from which elected.12. What are the three necessary qualifications to become a member of the Senate? 12. You must be 30 years old, be a citizen of the US for 9 years, and be an inhabitant of the state from which elected.13. Who are the most powerful people in the House of Representatives? 13. The most powerful Representative is the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi; followed by the Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer; Majority Whip, James Clyburn; Minority Leader, John Boehner; and Minority Whip, Eric Cantor.14. Who are the most powerful people in the Senate? 14. The most powerful Senator is the President of the Senate (symbolic), Joe Biden; followed by President Pro Tempore (acting), Daniel K. Inouye; Majority Leader, Harry Reid; Majority Whip, Dick Durbin; Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell; and Minority Whip, Jon Kyl.15. How do I access the texts of bills, statements, or resolutions on the Internet? 15. You can access all statements, bill texts, and resolutions by visiting Thomas, an official Congressional Web site, at http://thomas.loc.gov. If you have trouble locating a document that you are looking for, please e-mail Congressman Edwards or call the Washington office at 202-225-6105.16. The funding of government agencies and programs or the granting of money. Appropriations bills originate in the House. 17. The act of establishing a program and setting its general level of funding. The process of authorization must be followed by that of an appropriation before a program can go into effect. There are often great disparities between what is authorized and what is appropriated. 18. What is a budget resolution? 18. Concurrent resolution, not a law, setting out the congressional spending priorities for the next five fiscal years.19. The act of disciplining a fellow member through a vote of disapproval or condemnation. This may be a reprimand, severe reprimand, censure, condemnation, or expulsion. The Constitution specifies that each house may "punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member." 20. What is a conference committee? 21. What is discretionary spending? 21. Spending that is not guaranteed by entitlements. This increasingly shrinking authority was split into three categories – defense, domestic, and international.22. What is the electoral college? 22. The body of presidential electors, equal in number to each state's representation in Congress, as chosen by the voters in presidential elections. It takes 270 votes in the electoral college to become president.23. Programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans' benefits, that must be provided to all eligible persons who seek them, with the added assurance of legal recourse if they are not. 24. Any piece of proposed legislation that deals with a wide variety of subjects. Today, the term is used mostly to describe a mammoth bill like a continuing resolution, which is usually used at the end of the legislative session to package many bills together. This is usually done with spending bills. 25. A demand that the members present be counted to see if a quorum is present. Most quorum calls in the House are actually used to delay proceedings until a deal can be worked out or until a tardy speaker can get to the floor. Anyone may be set a quorum call in motion, usually by saying "I suggest the absence of a quorum." |
District 17 Job Creation MapTogether with local community leaders, Congressman Chet Edwards has worked hard in Congress to ... READMORE |
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