Day 28
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: Re-ASAPing Federalist #51
As we will see today, even the genius of the US Constitution has its limits. However, many of the shortfalls of the federal government today are, arguably, because elected leaders do not always follow through with their duties. Conduct an ASAP analysis over Federalist #51 that describes "the genius" of the Constitution
“It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices [checks and balances] should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.”
- James Madison, 1788, Federalist Papers #51
If you'll recall from earlier in the year (and in our N-50), Congress has the additional responsibility of "oversight". However, this is a lesser known duty of Congress and one that is not always carried out in the detail that it was intended.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/08/trump-coronavirus-aid-oversight-176160
1. How does congress "oversee" the executive branch?
2. What is the bureaucracy's (agencies') role in all of this?
2. What role does the judicial branch play in all of this?s
Activity #2 - Is it time for Congress to "make amends"?
The last duty of Congress that we'll look at today is their ability to propose amendments to the US Constitution with a 2/3 vote (remembering that 3/4 of the states must also approve these changes to the Constitution). Relatively few amendments have been passed in the last two centuries (recalling that the first 10 were a "package deal"), and the last one (27th in 1992) had to do with Congress and how it could raise its own salaries.
"No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened."
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/03/29/fact-check-congressional-pay-raise-coronavirus-relief-package/2936724001/
There is a long list of amendments that have been proposed again and again (ban on flag burning, the Equal Rights Amendment, abolition of income taxes, and the ending of the Electoral College system).
Propose at least 3 amendments that you'd like to ad to the US Constitution and briefly explain why you believe this change needs to be made.
The last duty of Congress that we'll look at today is their ability to propose amendments to the US Constitution with a 2/3 vote (remembering that 3/4 of the states must also approve these changes to the Constitution). Relatively few amendments have been passed in the last two centuries (recalling that the first 10 were a "package deal"), and the last one (27th in 1992) had to do with Congress and how it could raise its own salaries.
"No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened."
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/03/29/fact-check-congressional-pay-raise-coronavirus-relief-package/2936724001/
There is a long list of amendments that have been proposed again and again (ban on flag burning, the Equal Rights Amendment, abolition of income taxes, and the ending of the Electoral College system).
Propose at least 3 amendments that you'd like to ad to the US Constitution and briefly explain why you believe this change needs to be made.
2020 Exam: May 11th, on your laptop, 2 modified FRQ's (argumentative and scenario), Units 1-3 only.
PLEASE complete the FRQ's that have already been assigned to you and LOOK at the feedback that you have been given on each. These are your best preparation for the exam!
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