ABSTRACT
The public consists of citizens acting as individuals and communicating their demands and supports to the legislature. The public, as individuals rather than in organized groups, and the federal judiciary also pose challenges that Congress must meet. The public seems to expect Congress to aid and abet the president. When Congress acts to do so, it wins popular approval; otherwise the populace holds the legislature in lower esteem. Congress also receives demands from the third branch of government—from the federal judiciary and especially from the US Supreme Court. The portion of the public rating, the legislature's performance excellent or good has varied from 17 percent (1991) to 64 percent (1965). Moreover, the opinion distribution has shifted markedly from one year to the next, probably reflecting an indifference toward congressional activity. Knowledge of individual legislators' feelings about the judiciary will illuminate the congressional system's responses to demands originating in the courts.
