Understanding the legislative branch of government requires practical knowledge about who represents you and your family. The legislative branch provides the easiest place to connect with the government. You can make a difference by communicating with those whose job it is to represent you and your interests. After all, they are your representatives. Do you know who represents you at the state and federal level? Do you know who represents you if you live in the District of Columbia?

Part A
Use this tool to identify the people who represent you. Once you have found the names of the people who represent you, research a few other aspects about each person. You can visit their official websites or search local newspapers for stories about the lawmakers. To find official websites, you can search this database of links to congressional district members' websites. In the table provided below, make notes about what you learn. How long have your representatives been in office? Do they hold leadership roles? What major legislation have they helped produce?