MISSION PREVIEW

114th Congress

What do people want from their representative?

“Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job?” 9-11% approve (all-time low)

“Do you approve of the job your representative is doing?” 53% approve (relatively low; historically 60-80%)

Introducing the Culminating Challenge

Mission PreviewFLOOR DEBATE

Work in committees to mark up, debate and pass legislation.

Try to advance your agenda in a floor debate.

Need to organize and strategize with either a floor manager or opposition manager ahead of time on legislation.

A little more detail . . .

You will be Senators.

Your biggest concern is your constituents from your home state, who have the power to re-elect you (or not). You are running for reelection every six years

You may form caucuses with like-minded Senators!

Senate Leadership

Your class will have a party leader for each political party. (There will be 1 dominant leader for each party for the entire Senate.)

Leaders have different tasks after Task 3.

You can run for: 1. Majority Leader (R)3. Minority Leader (D)

Culminating Challenge

Our final floor debate will be a full session

You will be writing the legislation as Task 4

You will be defending your actions in a final “letter home” (Task 5)

Developing Subject Matter Expertise:

Crash Course Videos and Textbook Readings

Class Activities and Lectures

Individual and Team Tasks

Getting Started

Draw State/Party from a hat

Task 1: State Analysis Become familiar with your constituents Due on Friday