Proposing Laws

• One of the main duties congressmen have is to write, propose and help to pass federal laws. The House of Representatives is solely responsible of proposing bills concerning taxation and federal spending policies.

Voting

• Congressmen need to make
  decisions every day. Therefore, congressmen need to be familiar with
  several topics, able to evaluate information from multiple sources and
  make decisions benefiting their constituents based on the knowledge and
  information they have. In addition, congressmen are responsible of
  deciding whether an official should be tried in impeachment proceedings.

Serving in Committees

• Congressmen usually serve on two
  committees. To be able to serve as a member of any committee, the
  congressman needs to become an expert in the topics his committee
  assignments include. In addition, the congressman needs to attend
  meetings, question witnesses, prepare amendments to bills, vote and
  write committee reports.

Representing Constituents

• A congressman represents about
  650,000 people from the state congressional district he or she was
  elected from. To be able to represent the constituents, the congressman
  needs to follow the local media and visit the district to act as the
  link between the district and the federal government. Besides giving a
  voice to their constituents, congressmen also help their districts to
  get federal funding for projects and programs and advice their
  constituents of how to apply for federal benefits and grants.

Managing an Office

• Congressmen can have 22 staff
  members in their Washington and district offices. Each congressman runs
  his or her own office, supervises the office staff, budgets personal and
  office expenses and balances the expenses at the end of the fiscal
  year.

Maintaining Campaign Organization

• Congressmen run their own
  election and reelection campaigns. As part of the campaigning,
  congressmen need to organize and attend fundraising events, make public appearances, take positions on issues and create campaign strategies.