<P> When the Constitution was ratified in 1787, the ratio of the populations of large states to small states was roughly twelve--to--one . The Connecticut Compromise gave every state, large and small, an equal vote in the Senate . Since each state has two senators, residents of smaller states have more clout in the Senate than residents of larger states . But since 1787, the population disparity between large and small states has grown; in 2006, for example, California had seventy times the population of Wyoming . Critics have charged that the population disparity works against residents of large states . University of Texas law professor Sanford Levinson criticizes the imbalance of power in the Senate as causing a steady redistribution of resources from blue states to red states and from "large states to small states ." University of Kentucky professor Richard Labunski agrees that small states have an unfair advantage in the Senate, writing: "If the 26 least populated states voted as a bloc, they would control the U.S. Senate with a total of just under 17% of the country's population ." However, others argue that the Connecticut compromise was deliberately intended by the Framers to construct the Senate so that each state had equal footing not based on population, and contend that the result works well on balance . </P> <P> A major aspect of the role for a Senator and a representative consists of services to his or her constituency . Members receive thousands of letters, phone calls, and e-mails, with some expressing opinion on an issue, or displeasure with a member's position or vote . Often the incoming messages are not from concerned citizens but are barrages of electronic mail and interactive video designed to pressure the congressperson and his or her staff . Constituents request assistance with particular problems or ask questions . Members of Congress want to leave a positive impression on the constituent, rather than leave them disgruntled . Thus, their offices will often be responsive, and go out of their way to help steer the citizen through the intricacies of the bureaucracy . In this role, members and their staffers act as an ombudsman at the Federal level . This unofficial job has become increasingly time - consuming, and has significantly reduced the time that members have for the preparation or inspection of bills . Providing services helps congresspersons win elections and there are reports that some congresspersons compete actively to try to convince voters that they deliver the best services . It can make a difference in close races . For example, Erika Hodell - Cotti talked about how her congressperson, Frank Wolf, sent her letters when her children got awards; the congressperson helped her brothers win admission to the West Point Military Academy . Much of what citizens want is merely help with navigating government bureaucracies . Oftentimes citizens contact member offices that do not represent them . Because resources for helping non-constituents are limited, an additional component of constituent service becomes directing citizens to their assigned representative in Congress . </P> <P> An incumbent member of Congress has considerably more clout than most official ombudsmen at the state level, and in other countries, given the appointive and relatively diminutive character of such offices . As Morris Fiorina notes, the involvement of the legislative branch in the ombudsman process carries one major advantage: members of Congress exercise "control over what bureaucrats value most--higher budgets and new program authorizations ." This kind of leverage over the bureaucracy is a potent tool that appointed ombudsmen lack . Accordingly, to improve on today's 435 de facto ombudsmen--constituent services by overworked Congressmen--congressional reforms have been proposed that would approximate the legislative leverage now exercised by Congressmen, but in an office where the intra-bureaucratic troubleshooting duties are full - time . Along these lines, some Congressmen themselves have suggested that each congressional district should elect a second U.S. Representative to handle constituent services . </P> <P> One academic described the complex, intertwined relation between lawmakers and constituents as home style . Political scientist Lawrence Dodd suggested voters often choose a "powerful local incumbent who can assist with a desired local defense contract" rather than a reform - minded challenger who, if elected, wouldn't have much clout or power since he or she would lack seniority . </P>

Which two functions of congress frequently create conflict for congressional representatives