The constitution of the U.S. says that the United States government has elections every two years. The 435 members of the US House of Representatives all elected every 2 years for 2 year terms. The 100 senators (2 from each state) each have 6 year terms--33 must “run for election” every 2 years, former member of Clinton administration, senior fellow at the Tsinghua University US/China Center Dan Guttman told NEWS.am.
The president is elected every 4 years-so we call the election in which there is no Presidential election a “mid term” because it is in the middle of the 4 year term of the president, he said.
“Lobbying is a basic part of American government. The Constitution gives anyone the right to go and talk to the Congress (of course this may mean talking to staff as congressmen are busy). This permits people to tell congress what they think it also provides congress with ideas and information. So this is basic to the American system. Of course most people do not live in Washington. If you have money (or maybe even if you do not), you can ask someone (a person or company or NGO) to represent you in Washington-to lobby. These people are “lobbyists.” Often they worked for congress-indeed they include many former congressmen or staff. Congressmen now need lots of money to run for office-to advertise on television for example. The lobbyists give money to the congressmen. The laws say that the gifts should be made public so people know. However, people worry that congressmen depend on the money and will do things that help those who give them money - not those who are not rich and cannot do so,” he stressed.
Commenting on Barbara Boxers’ hold on Matthew Bryza’s appointment as an Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Guttman said a senator can continue to keep a hold as long as he or she wants. “The alternatives are for some other senator or the president or maybe some people the senator thinks highly of to try to persuade the senator to let the appointment proceed-or for the appointment to be withdrawn. Another alternative is for a “recess appointment.” Sometimes when the Senate does not act on a Presidential appointment’s nomination, the president approves the person becoming an official when the Senate is in recess. However, there usually are limits to the amount of time the official can serve without being approved. I don’t know how recess appointments might work for an ambassador,” he said.
As NEWS.am reported previously, both Senators Barbara Boxer and Robert Menendez have jointly placed a “hold” on OSCE MG former American Co-Chair Matthew Bryza’s nomination due to his pro-Azerbaijani stance.
On November 2, over 90% of ANCA-backed candidates won the mid-term elections in U.S. Congress.
