| Communicating with Congress: How Capitol Hill is Coping with the Surge in Citizen Advocacy |
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figure 6. effects of the internet on congress
“Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree that e-mail and the Internet have…” 
The Internet has had both positive and negative effects on Congress and public policy. A large majority of congressional staff surveyed agree that e-mail and the Internet have increased the number of constituents who communicate with congressional offices and made it easier for constituents to become involved in the public policy process. A majority of 55% also believe that the Internet has increased public understanding of what goes on in Washington. However, 64% of staff surveyed also believe that e-mail and the Internet have reduced the quality of constituents’ messages to congressional offices. |