Day 27
Learning Targets:
Students will be able to:
*Note: All responses should be typed in your new interactive notebook (Google doc).- Describe the different structures, powers, and functions of each house of Congress.
- Explain how the structure, powers, and functions of both houses of Congress affect the policy-making process.
- Explain how congressional behavior is influenced by election processes, partisanship, and divided government.
- Explain how the president can implement a policy agenda.
Both assignments (posted Tuesday and Thursday) will be "collected" no later than Friday of each week, and graded by Monday. This gives you some flexibility and Friday to complete both.
Opener: Is the Elastic Stretched Too Thin?
If you will recall, the "Necessary and Proper Clause" that ends the list of powers granted to Congress in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, is often called "The Elastic Clause" as it allows Congress to stretch it's other enumerated powers as necessary. Below is that list of enumerated powers. Given the pressure on Congress to help alleviate the current pandemic, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/491467-pressure-mounts-on-congress-for-quick-action-with-next-coronavirus-bill which of these powers could Congress "stretch"?
Choose at least 3 from the list and briefly explain how exercising and stretching this power might be "necessary and proper" given recent events.
If you will recall, the "Necessary and Proper Clause" that ends the list of powers granted to Congress in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, is often called "The Elastic Clause" as it allows Congress to stretch it's other enumerated powers as necessary. Below is that list of enumerated powers. Given the pressure on Congress to help alleviate the current pandemic, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/491467-pressure-mounts-on-congress-for-quick-action-with-next-coronavirus-bill which of these powers could Congress "stretch"?
Choose at least 3 from the list and briefly explain how exercising and stretching this power might be "necessary and proper" given recent events.
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes
To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes;
To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures;
To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States;
To establish post offices and post roads;
To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries (patents and copyrights)
To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;
To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against the law of nations;
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;
To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years;
To provide and maintain a navy;
To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces;
To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia
To establish Washington D.C. as the capitol
To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.
Activity #1 - Committee Hearings? But It's an Election Year!
As you recall, the real work in Congress is done by committees. These small groups of congressmen are designed to allow its members to become experts on legislation (bills) on each of these topics.
- Which committees do you think are the most sought after by members of Congress as a means of gaining power and influence in Congress? Remember, logrolling (trading favors) is an unfortunate reality in Congress. Choose the 4 that you believe are the most sought after.
- Would being on any certain committee(s) improve a member's likelihood of being reelected? Which one(s)?
Activity #2 - Politics and Crisis
Use ASAP to analyze the quote below and then answer the final two questions for the day.
1. How might members of the Congress and/or the President exploit the current crisis during this election year?
2. To what extent does the desire for a politician to get reelected help hold politicians more accountable?
Close: Mini Essay (notice I said "mini" some of you)
In AP Classroom I have assigned a "Congressional Committee FRQ". Take no more than 20 minutes to answer this question.
On a side note, I have been blown away by the quality of some of your responses to both "classroom" question and those posted in AP Classroom. While I have no doubt that this is the result of your own hard work, please remember that we are trying to write these responses on our own and without the use of outside resources.
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