And we have to remember these critters are part of a hierarchy trading support, public and private; and votes yea/nay/absent/present.
You know that Discovery show, "How it's Made" or "Dirty Jobs" might be better for example?

It doesn't matter if it's State or Federal.
This all, is called a system of markers, you own mes, and payback. It's as mean and dirty as can be in the back rooms. Corruption and graft. Lot's of wiggle room, sure, to hang yourself and the other guy, too. A MAD necktie dance if you will; Sex. Skeletons unearthed and staffers betrayed. Real and imagined jail time and threats of death and boredom.
But, it's a barter system of preceptive worth, a constant horse trading, arm twisting, threats, bluster and worse, of these 7 items. A powerful, mostly bloodless system of instant influence auction, fame making, glory, mediocrity, or ruin. How do you play? It takes courage. And the courageous are plowed under by the sneaky. The Pubs, are hell in the back, but are not sneaky enough on the public side, I believe, at this point in the Great Game of:
pubic support
private support
yea vote
nay vote
present signified
absent so noted