Day 18

Day 18

Learning Targets: Students will be able to...

• Describe the different structures, powers, and functions of each house of Congress.
• Explain how congressional behavior is influenced by election processes, partisanship, and divided government.

Opener: In which of the following scenarios do you think might be "necessary and proper" for Congress to intervene by creating new laws or regulations?

1. Cryptocurrency begins to replace the US Dollar as the preferred currency by both retailers and consumers.
2. Increasing acts of violent crime in city streets reaches and all time high and people are asking for a national curfew.
3. Concerns over cyberbullying inspire parents to lobby for age restrictions on social media usage.
4. A requirement for companies to pay employees based on a percentage of company profits rather than minimum wage.
5. Withholding federal grants for healthcare and education to any state that does not enforce federal drug laws.

Activity #1:  Us TIP-C to analyze the two charts below and then answer the questions that follow.

1.  What is the relationship between the information in the two charts?  How can you explain this relationship?

2.  Why don't we hold Congress more accountable?

3.  Do you think the midterms will be different?  Explain.

Activity #2:  Priorities of Congress

As the legislative body of the United States, Congress is forced to examine many different and challenging issues in society. Unfortunately, however, both time and money are limited so Congress must create priorities.

Below is a list of issues and topics being discussed among members of Congress. What topics should they devote their attention to? Where should they spend our money? 

Task:  Identify which TWO issues you believe are most critical, and which TWO issues are least critical.  Then provide a 1-2 sentence justification for your top two choices and your last two choices.

1. Providing affordable healthcare to U.S. citizens
2. Increasing border security
3. Stabilizing oil prices
4. Improving public education
5. Reducing the national debt
6. Monitoring/checking the other branches
7. Saving/changing social security
8. Reducing violent crime
9. Create laws to support business/trade
10. Reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil
11. Passing laws to encourage research on alternative energy sources
12. Keeping the environment free of pollution
13. Raising the minimum wage

Close:  Drop off your notebooks!