111909 gov team congress 50m
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Welcome Gov Team!
Date: 11/19/09, Topic: Legislative Branch
Think of items to discuss.
Announcements: SweatshirtsIntro Music:
Gov Team Agenda1) Congress2) Tu: Follow Up Q Research
Unit To Dos1) Come up with possible follow up
questions and your possible responses in your unit meetings.
Reminder1) Sign-up for Unit Const. this week2) Computers: Block + Friday (reg sched)
Listen babyAin't no mountain highAin't no valley lowAin't no river wide enough, baby
If you need me, call meNo matter where you areNo matter how farDon’t worry baby
Just call out my nameI'll be there in a hurryYou don't have to worry
There ain't no mountain high enoughAin't no valley low enoughAin't no river wide enoughTo keep me from getting to you, baby
Remember the dayI set you freeI told youYou could always count on me darlinAnd from that day onI made a vowI'll be there when you want meSome way, some how
Cause babyThere ain't no mountain high enoughAin't no valley low enoughAin't no river wide enoughTo keep me from getting to you, baby
Speech ProcessA-Assign Sections:-Open up discussion of big Q (1 ppl)-Bullet 1 (1-2 ppl)-Bullet 2 (1-2 ppl)-Close discussion of big Q (1-2 ppl)
S-Sign Post: “Be verbally obvious which part of Q you are addressingA - Authenticate: Is it true to you?P - Proof: Verify you prove what you say(Whole speech target: 3:30-3:45min)
Followup ProcessA - Answer: Quick answer to their questionS - Story: Background on the issueA - Analysis: Detailed answer to their question (including other POVs)P - Proposal: Recommendation on what should be done(All responses need to be short and spoken slowly. Try to get 3 people on a question, but never all 5)..
Unit Intensives: We win, and lose together.Each blue choose 1 person to target
Up (at the table): Unit
Judging (at the judging table): Unit Question List (reg seats): Unit Com List (reg seats): Unit Research Sheet (reg seats): Unit
Debrief (outside): Unit
Unit Hearings: Working together, we win.Speech = 4 minutes, Followup= 8 minutesPresenters (Targets):1) Present your speech and answer followups.2) Take notes on feedback from the coaches.
Coaches (Everyone Else):1) Records feedback to give at the end. 2) Ask the group follow up questions.
Extra Roles1) 1 person to read the question before they start2) 1 person keeps time
Mr. Chiang’s 7 Speech Tips1) 3 Part: Opening>Argument>Closing2) Think of your audience and use local examples3) Stories are remembered4) Cite authoritative evidence5) Call audience to action6) Repetition, pauses, tone7) Speak slowly and make eye contact (you make like looking over heads)
Last, the majority of speech is body language, not words.
Notes #39a, Title: “Congress Election Notes” 1) Incumbency Rate: Rate that person in office is reelected, incumbents raise more money+name ID2) House Races (Every 2 Years): Avg Spent: 1 Million. Incumbency Rate: 98% (rely more on PAC)3) Senate Races (Every 6 Years): Avg Spent: 3-6
Million. Incumbency Rate: 88%4) Midterm Elections: H+S races happen each
presidential election, but also each even yr between pres. election, your vote for congress (and state/local candidates) matters (low turnout)
The last Cupertino City Council race and school measure passed with less than 400 votes! One day CA may become a contested swing state, especially if a CA politician runs for president.
Work #39a, “Expanded Public Funding Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write
which you choose and explain why.2) Then write down what your partner thinks
(include their name at the end).1 2 3 4 5
CON: Taxpayers should not be paying for camp.1) A public funding system favors 2 parties, and SIG would still indep spend on candidates2) $5 billion is better spent elsewhere or given back to the taxpayers
PRO: For $5 billion a year we can fund publically fund every fed cand (0.2%)
1) President and Congress can ignore SIG, less pork may save more than $5 bil2) Better laws will be made when they can focus on lawmaking + ppl’s interest
Work #39b, “Term Limits Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write
which you choose and explain why.2) Then write down what your partner thinks
(include their name at the end).1 2 3 4 5
CON: Term limits are bad1) Running gov takes experience and relationships, term limits equals bad politicians2) Term limits make politicians pay musical chairs with offices, and empower exp. lobbyist
PRO: Congress needs term limits like CA gov (13)1) The corruption and lack of innovation we see in gov is b/c they never leave2) Career politicans make them think the ppl work for them, instead of them working for the people.
Notes #39b, Title: “Congress Election Notes” 5) Gerrymandering: Party that controls state
govs draw HoR borders to favor their party OR borders that create safe districts.
FLORIDA22nd District Seat
Work #39c, Title “Gerrymander”Each letter are blocks to make districts of 4 blocks R D D R
R D D R
R D D R
R D D R
Safe Seats: 3 or more D or RCompetitive Seat: 2 D vs 2 RCopy the chart above in your workbook 3 times.1-3) Create 3 maps: that’s Pro-R, Pro-D, and fair.
Annually…$120 Billion for Medicine for Seniors
If spend on college students….Given there are 12 Million College Students$10,000 Tuition Credit For Every Student
Local TuitionUC $8,000 (leaving $2,000 for books, misc)CSU $3,800 (leaving $6,200 for books, misc)Top Cooking School (CIA) $11,000 (many much cheaper)Top Mechanic School (UTI) $15,000 (many much cheaper)
Review 1) Legislative Branch: Research laws, creates
laws, and investigates if laws are being carried out by the executive branch
2) Executive Branch: President overseas the bureaucracy in executing the laws of Congress
3) Judicial Branch: Interprets the constitutional and laws for the country when people disagree to their interpretation.
Notes #40a, Title: “Congress Intro Notes” 1) republican Govt (little r): Method of gov by
representatives2) Bicameral Legislature: US legislature divided
into 2 independent parts: House of Representatives (elected) and Senate (initially state appointed, 1913: now elected)
3) Purpose of Legislature: a) Create laws (legislate, tax bills orig in House)b) Conduct investigations (hearings)c) Help citizens with US gov (case work) 4) House of Reps (435/Honda): Local US rep,
serve 2 yr term/no limits. Tends to be more extremist (less intimate + more extreme voters)
5) Senate (100/Boxer+Feinsten): State US rep, serve 6 yr term/no limit. Tends to be more moderate (more intimate + broader voters)
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/freshman.year/
SENATE
WHITE HOUSE
HOUSE OF REPS
SUPREME COURT OUT BACK
Work #40a, “Bicameral Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write
which you choose and explain why.2) Then write down what your partner thinks
(include their name at the end).1 2 3 4 5
CON: 2 Too Slow1) 2 chambers means a bill has to go through 2 places, slowing things down
2) Senate is a waste, why should a small state have 2 senators like a big state
PRO: 2 Chambers Good1) 2 chambers allows to separate eyes to look at any bill
2) 2 chambers allows small states to have more power in 1 chamber, and big states in another
34 Dem HoR19 GOP HoR 53: HoR Seats
HoRDEM: 258, GOP: 177
SenateDEM: 60, IND: 2 (Liberal), GOP: 40
Work #40b, “Divided Gov Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write
which you choose and explain why.2) Then write down what your partner thinks
(include their name at the end).1 2 3 4 5
CON: Good to have 1 party control congress, another the presidency1) We need a gov with checks against waste and abuse, parties do that
2) Parties bring different ideas to gov
PRO: We need unified gov, all GOP or all DEM1) Terrorism, economic crisis, global warming, we need a can do gov
2) Parties just waste time fighting on petty issues
Notes #40b, Title: “Congress Notes”
6) Committee: Small groups with in H + S, for efficiency + experience.
1) Committee votes: 1/2+2) Floor votes: 1/2+ (If a Senate filibuster, 60+ for S)3) Other chamber:(H or S)4) Conference Comm: Works
out differences, then both floors vote again (1/2+)
5) Pres Signs or Override Veto: 2/3 H + S
Notes #40b, Title: “Congress Notes”
6) Committee: Small groups with in H + S, for efficiency + experience.
1) Committee votes: 1/2+2) Floor votes: 1/2+ (If a Senate filibuster, 60+ for S)3) Other chamber:(H or S)4) Conference Comm: Works
out differences, then both floors vote again (1/2+)
5) Pres Signs or Override Veto: 2/3 H + S
7) Committee Work: Most of H + S time is spent their committees (public, you can go watch).
a) Role of Committees: To research a bill (hearings) + to edit bills (mark up).
b) Power of Committees: If a com. doesn’t like the bill (less than 1/2 of com), bill is DEAD!
8) Committee Chairman: Usually most senior member of the com. from majority party
a) Role of Chairman: Leadership + efficiencyb) Power of Committee Chairman: Controls the
com. schedule + what investigations are called Committee on Agriculture Committee on AppropriationsCommittee on Armed Services Committee on the BudgetCommittee on Education and Labor Committee on Energy and CommerceCommittee on Financial Services Committee on Foreign AffairsCommittee on Homeland Security Committee on the JudiciaryCommittee on Rules Committee on Science and
Technology
9) Most Powerful Committees:a) Rules Committee: Rules committee last
place all H bills go b4 floor vote. Rules sets the rules on floor debate (how long to talk, what changes can be made). Rules can delay or kill any bill. Only HoR has Rules C
b) Appropriations Committee: All bills that cost money will pass through this com. HoR + Senate both have App Com
10) Hearings: Committees calls experts to testify on a proposed bill OR if current law is being enforced (testimony is under oath)
Senator Joe McCarthy
(R-Wisconsin)
Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (formerly the Committee on Government Operations)
JournalistEdward Murrow
Gained fame as a radio journalist during WWII, he made an investigative news show for CBS called “See It Now” (shows like
60 Minutes and 20/20 are the heirs of this news type)
Notes #41a, Title: “Congressional Powers”
1) Unique Senate Power: a) Amendments: Any
senator can suggest bill edits (even riders)
b) Filibuster: Any senator can talk to delay a bill (Cloture: 60 votes needed to stop a filibuster)
c) Confirm Presidential Appointees: 1/2+
d) Ratify Treaties: 2/3+
Notes #41a, Title: “Congressional Powers”
2) Unique HoR Power:
a) Introduce taxes: Only HoR has Ways + Means Com. to introduce taxes
Reminder that the House is more extreme and has more rules.
Notes #41a, Title: “Congressional Powers” 4) Power of the Party in Control of that Chamber:a) Approve laws: By definition, over 1/2+, so they
can pass laws without other party.b) Call Investigations: Look into problemsc) Appoint Committee Chairpersons: Sets schedule
5) Most Powerful Member of Congressa)Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader:
HoR member elected by majority party. Keeps party order by picking which com. you are in and which committee’s bills are sent to.
Speaker of the House: Nancy PelosiSenate Majority Leader: Harry Reid
b) Other Powerful Members:House Rules Chairperson: Louise SlaughterHouse Ways & Means: Charles Rangel House Finance: Barney FrankHouse Appropriations: David Obey Senate Appropriations: Robert Byrd Senate Judiciary: Patrick Leahy
Diane Feinstein’s Committees(Former SF Mayor)AppropriationsJudiciary
Barbara Boxer’s Committees(Career Politician)Commerce+ScienceEnvironment*, Foreign RelationsEthics*
Mike Honda’s Committees(Sunnyvale HS Teacher)Appropriations
*Chair of that committee
Work #41a, Title “Role of Congress”
1) What kind of laws should Congressman Honda make?
a) Laws that benefit the politician (PAC money)b) Laws based on what the politician thinks is
best for his/her local community (Pork barrel) c) Laws based on what the politician thinks is
best for the whole nation d) Laws based on what the voters in his
community want him/her to do e) Laws based on what the politician personally
thinks is best
Building a new fighter jet:Pass law appropriating money for aircraft company
that donates to the politician.
F-22 Fighter Program Cost: $62 billion, $137 million per plane.
Parts of it are built in 200 congressional districts.
Work #41b, Title “Role of Congress”Building a new fighter jet, how should Honda vote:a) Pass law appropriating money for aircraft company
that will build part of the jet in your community, even if it makes the jet more expensive.
b) Pass law appropriating money for aircraft company that will build part of the jet in the most efficient manner, but will bring no jobs to your community.
c) Voting against the law appropriating money for aircraft company because your community voter’s are against military spending, though you are for it.
d) Voting against the law appropriating money for aircraft company because you personally are against it.
1) Write what your partner wrote (include their name).
Notes #41b, Title: “Congress Notes” 6) Kinds of Incentives for Congressmembers:a) Money: Need to run for re-election (2 or 6 yrs)(you a donor, party leadership money, +
president star power all sources)b) President: Veto your bills (2/3 vote to override)pres/exec branch can not be helpful, pres cancampaign for you/against you, not invite to partiesc) Media: Need to not look bad to votersd) Beliefs: Personal desire to do what’s righte) Voter Demands: Voter input in visits to office,
letters, phones, emails, and faxes
REMEMBER GOVT WORKS FOR YOU!
Notes #41b, Title: “Congress Notes” 6) Kinds of Incentives for Congressmembers:a) Money: Need to run for re-election (2 or 6 yrs)(you a donor, party leadership money, +
president star power all sources)b) President: Veto your bills (2/3 vote to override)pres/exec branch can not be helpful, pres cancampaign for you/against you, not invite to partiesc) Media: Need to not look bad to votersd) Beliefs: Personal desire to do what’s righte) Voter Demands: Voter input in visits to office,
letters, phones, emails, and faxes
REMEMBER GOVT WORKS FOR YOU!
Notes #42a, Title: “Lobbying Notes” 1) Lobbying: Act of persuading congressa) Expert info, provide research (think tanks)b) Donate money (if SIG donates, it’s a PAC)c) Using the media (letters to the editor, press
release, rallies, protest, other attention getters)d) Campaigning for or against them either with
them or independently (talk to voters, mail ads)e) Sue in court to pressure Congress2) Buckley v Valeo (1976): Court states political
speech is the most protected, money=speechANYONE CAN DONATE OR SPEND ONCAMPAIGNS, THOSE WHO DO HAVE POWER!THOSE WHO BUNDLE EVEN MORE POWER!
Notes #42a, Title: “Lobbying Notes” Education Case Study:3) NEA/CTA: Teacher’s union donates to support
teachers + promote liberal causes (mostly ads).
4) Make Your Own Special Interest Group (SIG): No permission needed, anyone can start a SIG:a) Bring together ppl on a common causeb) Investigate candidates’ position on your causec) Endorse candidatesd) Donate part of member dues to candidate (PAC)
e) Members campaign for the candidatef) Monitor if candidate defends your cause,
otherwise, support other in next election
Special Interest Groups: Anyone can make one!
Work #42a, Title “Lobbying”Work with partner (include their name), think of which lobbying tool from your Notes 40b, 2a-e would each group use first (many SIGs use every method):1) College student animal rights group2) Coalition of cell phone service companies3) Statewide gay rights group4) Nationwide global warming group5) For your teen special interest group, which methods can teens best utilize?6) Come up with your own SIG (be creative)Be prepared to present.
Notes #42a, Title: “Lobbying Notes” 3) Pork barreling: Passing laws that bring jobs to
their community AND/OR SIGsa) Earmarks: Adding wording to a bill for
spending on a very specific item.b) Riders: Adding something to a bill that has
nothing to do with bill (earmarks can be riders)
CA High Speed Rail$40 Billion Dollar Project Price Tag
Boston Underground Freeway$20 Billion Dollar Project Total
Current Debt:$12 Trillion
This Year’s Contribution:$1 Trillion
Per Tax Payer:$80,000
Per American:$40,000
Work #42a, Title “Making Earmarks and Riders”Riders can be earmarks, earmarks can be riders, but not always. Rider (off topic) isn’t related to the main content of the bill, earmarks ($) sometimes are related, sometimes aren’t.
Work with partner (include their name):1) Create a earmark (think of something in Cupertino you want Honda to spend federal tax money on (pork spending).2) Create a rider to the education bill we will write tomorrow that has NOTHING to do with education.
Work #42b, “Pork Barrel Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write
which you choose and explain why.2) Then write down what your partner thinks
(include their name at the end).1 2 3 4 5
CON: Honda should make sure the country overall is better off
1)Our rep defends the country
2) If we spend like this, we’ll go deeper into debt
PRO: Honda’s job is to bring home pork to Cupertino1) We elect a local rep to defend local needs
2) If we don’t fight for federal tax money to be used here, other ppl will take it all for their places
Review 1) House of Reps: 435 members, 2 year terms2) Senate: 100 members, 6 year terms3) Commiteees: Investigate and edit bills + problems4) Committee Chairpersons: Set com. schedule5) Speaker of the House/Senate Majority Leader:
Picks committees and sends bills to committee: goal is to keep party disciplined
6) Committee Vote: Over 1/27) Floor Vote: Over 1/28) Filibuster: Senator’s power to delay a bill to death9) Cloture: 60 votes to stop filibuster10) Veto: President kills the bill11) Veto Override: 2/3 to override presidential veto12) Earmarks: Bill wording that specifices spending 13) Riders: Adding to a bill something off topic
Review
All committee: votes: 1/2+
All floor votes: 1/2+ (60% to stop Senate filibuster)
Override presidential veto:2/3 of HoR + S
Introduced in House or Senate by Mr. Chiang1) Speaker of the House or Senate Majority Leader will send it to committees. The Whip will deliver it.2) Committee Chairman will priorities bills and lead committee discussion and write down committee edits.3) Chairman holds Committee Votes (1/2+)4) Send to Any Other Committee Listed. In House, Rules Committee is the Last Place Before a Floor Vote5) Bills Ready for the Floor are Sent to Speaker of the House or Senate Majority Leader6) Floor Debate (In Senate, Senators Can Attempt Filibusters, 60% to Stop)7) Floor Vote (1/2+)8) Sent to Other Chamber (Steps 1-7 again)9) Conference Committee Works Out Differences (skip in simulation)10) President Signs or Congress Attempts Override (2/3)
Review-Congressa) Create new laws (bill: not yet passed law)
Review-Congressb) Research new laws and monitor if the
Executive Branch is enforcing old laws (hearings)
Review-Congressc) Help constituents/citizens (case work)
Homework: 1) Study today’s notes + work sections
for a possible workbook quiz.2) Pick and listen to your 4 news
podcast by next Monday.
Embrace the freedom that this very moment is a fresh chance to make yourself the person you want to be.
Workbook Check: If your name is called, drop off your workbook with Mr. Chiang (if requested, points lost if your workbook is not turned in)
Flash Debate
<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ONE-PRO <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<A
B>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> FIVE-CON >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Each side has 4-5 debaters and 2 filters.Everyone fills out papers when they haveideas, and pass them to filters. Filterspass papers to debaters.
Debate Format60 seconds – Talk to Team60 seconds – Opener Pro Side60 seconds – Opener Con Side60 seconds – Rebuttal Pro Side60 seconds – Rebuttal Con Side1 2 3 4 5PRO CON
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FILE CABINETS
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Work #20, Title “Speech Rounds”1) In your workbook write down an outline
to what you plan to say for Round 1.2) In your workbook write down an outline
to what you plan to say for Round 2. Person 1Person 2
Round 1: Pro ConRound 2: Con Pro
Each Round: Pro goes first, audience fills out slip for each speaker. 9-10’s should be rare!Audience writes their name under “Name:_”
Write speaker’s name under “Speaker:_”
Work #20, Title “Speech Rounds 2”Each group, nominate your top speaker to
move on to Round 2 to battle the best from other groups.
Person 1Person 2Round 1: Pro ConRound 2: Con Pro
Each Round: Pro goes first, audience fills out slip for each speaker. 9-10’s should be rare!Audience writes their name under “Name:_”
Write speaker’s name under “Speaker:_”
Work #20, Title “Moot Court Prep”US (Gov, AD) v. GI Jane (Applicant, RP)Write these in your workbook:1) Greeting Statement2) Issue Statement3) Facts of the Case4) Legal Arguments SKIP: Possible Rebuttals 5) Closing Statement
14th Amendment: “shall any State nor deny to any person within its
jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws” (reverse incorporated by the 5th Amendment’s SDP)
Work #20, “Problem Solving”Work as a group:1) List what X feels and needs.2) List what Y feels and needs.3) List what deeper needs they hold in
common.4) Write a compromise that uses their
common needs to create solution.
Problem to Resolve: A
Work #20, “Consensus”1) Appoint a facilitator whose job is to get
everyone to participate and further the discussion, write his/her name.
2) Share ideas one voice a time in a circle. List main points of each person under 2).
3) Resolve the issue, make sacrifices to reach close consensus (3/4, 75% agreement), write under 3). Consensus: means voting yes if you can live with the compromise, and are willing to back it. Write down the solution under 3).
Issue to Resolve: A
Work #20, “Document Circles”Read your own doc and prepare for whenit’s your turn to facilitate group discussion.
From your document, write down: 1) Talking points that summarize the most
important ideas/take away of your doc.2) Questions/ideas you will say to facilitate a
group discussion on your doc.Then with your whole group: 3) Share all your ideas, write down notes on what
they shared. Share in order sequence of doc.
5 Reading/Film Qs Come From These Work Sections
Work #20, Title “Same Document”Individually, read, and then answer:1) Write down what you consider the main ideas of the document (at least 3). Then with your partner:2) Write down what you both think is the 1 most important (of the 3) idea/take away from the doc.3) Write down 1 reason why this document might be significant/useful in your life and/or society. 4) Write down how much you both trust this document, do you detect their motive or bias?(include their name at the end)
5 Reading/Film Qs Come From These Work Sections
Work #20, “Document Share”Divide the doc among the group (you may need to
read a little before or after your assigned section), read, record, and report.
1) Write down what you consider the main ideas (at least 3) from your assigned section.
Then with your whole group:2) Share all your ideas, write down notes on what
they shared. Share in order sequence of doc.3) Write down what you ALL think is the 1 most
important idea/take away from the WHOLE doc.4) Write down how much your group trust this
document, do you detect their motive or bias?5 Reading/Film Qs Come From These Work Sections