It depends upon the issue, whether Congress and the administration pays attention. Now, with the war in Iraq, they knew they could get away with going to war, because the country always rallies behind the troops in war time. They knew the Hussein regime was incapable of defending Iraq against an attack from the likes of a military force from Botswana, much less the US and British military, due to the devastation of Saddam's military in 1991 and a decade of sanctions. So they knew they could get in there and declare victory quickly, with few casualties to our side. So they knew they could afford to thumb their noses at the anti-war sentiments of at least half the country prior to the war. What they don't seem to have thought out in advance, however, was the military backlash against them for getting the troops bogged down in the quagmire.

On the other hand, those 800,000 or so emails and faxes Congress got from citizens opposed to the June 2nd FCC ruling did cause the Republicans and Democrats to sit up and take notice, as we have seen with the posturing in Congress by both parties to make it appear as though they are On The Side of The People Against Big Media. So it depends on the issue, the polls, the responses they get from constituents, and what they think they can and can't get away with at any given time.

Notice, I don't mention them voting with integrity from the perspective of what is right or wrong with the legislation, in a way that would actually demonstrate thoughtful reflection about their vote, rooted in a moral framework that actually defends and upholds American democratic principles and values.