Final answer:
Members of Congress face trade-offs in deciding how much to spend on national parks, including allocating funds for other programs, balancing the needs of different constituencies, considering the economic impact of tourism, and evaluating environmental benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Members of Congress must consider several trade-offs when deciding how much to spend on national parks:
- Allocating funds for other government programs: Congress has to balance the funding for national parks with funding for other important programs, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
- Balancing the needs of different constituencies: Congress represents people from different regions with varying interests and priorities. They have to find a balance between the desires of those who want to preserve natural areas and those who may benefit economically from tourism.
- Considering the economic impact of tourism: National parks attract tourists, which can contribute to the local economy. However, there may be trade-offs between economic gains and environmental impacts.
- Evaluating the environmental benefits of preserving natural areas: Congress must weigh the long-term environmental benefits of preserving national parks against other pressing issues and concerns.