W ARM U P 3/18 When members of Congress want to vote ‘yes’ on a bill, what do they say? What if they want to vote ‘no’? Yes=Yea No=Nay

O BJECTIVES SWBAT Describe the roles of a Congressman Explain the decision making process Congressmen use when voting on bill.

B ESIDES VOTING ON BILLS, WHAT ELSE ARE OUR C ONGRESSMEN DOING ?

Legislator Committee Member Politician Makes laws Screens bills & provides oversight of executive branch Representative Provide help & services to constituents with problems Partisan Party loyalty – support party goals Get re-elected & make deals

1. I attended the Democratic National Convention. 2. I came back to California to get federal funds for families impacted by the fire. 3. I amended several sections of a bill. Partisan Politician; Representative; Legislator Committee Member What hat(s) of Congress am I?

M EMBERS OF C ONGRESS THINK ABOUT FOUR FACTORS when deciding whether to vote for a law.

FACTOR #1 FACTOR #2 What is my personal opinion? FACTOR #3 What are the views of my political party? FACTOR #4 What do my voters think? Does the Constitution give Congress the power to pass the law?

FACTOR #1 Does the Constitution give Congress the power to pass the law?

FACTOR #1 The POWERS of CONGRESS Congress is limited by what the Constitution says. The Constitution only gives Congress certain powers. Like What?

Here is what the Constitution says Congress can do: Collect taxes to raise money to pay debts, to defend the country, and to provide for the general welfare of the United States. FACTOR #1 The POWERS of CONGRESS

Control commerce (business) that happens across state lines, with foreign countries, and with Indian tribes. FACTOR #1 The POWERS of CONGRESS Here is what the Constitution says Congress can do:

Make laws about immigration. Make laws about bankruptcy. Establish post offices. FACTOR #1 The POWERS of CONGRESS Here is what the Constitution says Congress can do:

Declare war. Raise and support armies. FACTOR #1 The POWERS of CONGRESS Here is what the Constitution says Congress can do:

Oh, and here’s one more: Make all laws that are “necessary and proper” for executing any of these powers. Hold on! What does that mean? FACTOR #1 The POWERS of CONGRESS

That means Congress can sometimes do things that are not on the list if it relates to something that is on the list! FACTOR #1 The POWERS of CONGRESS

MINI-QUIZ! Test Your Knowledge About Factor #1

MINI-QUIZ Can Congress pass any law it wants to? A.YES! Congress has the power to do anything. B.NO! Congress can only do what the Constitution says it can do.

Congress has the power to create armies. A. True B. FalseMINI-QUIZ

Congress cannot control business that happens in more than one state. A. True B. FalseMINI-QUIZ

Congress may collect taxes for certain reasons. A. True B. FalseMINI-QUIZ

Congress may not make any laws about immigration. A. True B. FalseMINI-QUIZ

Congress may make any law as long as it is “necessary and proper.” A. True B. FalseMINI-QUIZ

When may Congress do something that is not listed in the Constitution? A. Always B. Never C.When it relates to something that is listed D. Only on ThursdaysMINI-QUIZ

FACTOR #2 What is my personal opinion?

FACTOR #2 PERSONAL OPINION Members of Congress are human beings, just like you! Sometimes they agree with a bill… …and sometimes they are totally against a bill. No way! Love it!

FACTOR #3 POLITICAL PARTY VIEWS People in a political party share similar values. They work for laws that reflect those values.

For a member of Congress, being in a political party is like being on a team. Members of the team support each other and try to create bills that reflect their values. FACTOR #3 POLITICAL PARTY VIEWS

Usually members of Congress agree with their political party about bills. But sometimes they don’t. FACTOR #3 POLITICAL PARTY VIEWS

FACTOR #4 WHAT THE VOTERS THINK There would be too many people in Congress if everyone went... So voters choose a few people to represent them.

People in Congress are responsible for representing the voters back home. So they’d better think about those voters, because… FACTOR #4 WHAT THE VOTERS THINK

Voters send people to Congress and voters can kick people out! FACTOR #4 WHAT THE VOTERS THINK

MINI-QUIZ! Test Your Knowledge About Factors 2, 3, and 4!

Members of Congress vote based only on their personal opinions. A.TRUE! Personal opinion is the only factor. B.FALSE! They consider other factors too. MINI-QUIZ

Members of Congress always agree with their political party about bills. A. True B. FalseMINI-QUIZ

When considering a bill, members of Congress should think about... A. Only themselves B. Voters back home C. People on the moonMINI-QUIZ

If members of Congress do a bad job, voters can kick them out. A. True B. FalseMINI-QUIZ

In Congress, being in a political party is like being on a... A. Team B. Game show C. Surf boardMINI-QUIZ

People in the same political party share similar… A. Eye color B. Opinions about movies C. ValuesMINI-QUIZ

When considering a bill, members of Congress usually think about… A. Their own opinions B. The Constitution C. Political party views D. What voters think E. All of the aboveMINI-QUIZ

Congratulations! You’ve been elected to Congress! Time to make some decisions on bills!

BILL “A” mail delivery on Saturdays! Stop Yikes! That seems like a big decision! We’d better look at the four factors…

Does Congress have the power to establish post offices? A. Yes B. No FACTOR #1 Does Congress have the power to stop Saturday mail delivery?

Is deciding what days mail will be delivered part of establishing a post office? A. Probably B. Probably not Does Congress have the power to stop Saturday mail delivery? FACTOR #1

A.Congress has the power to stop Saturday mail delivery B.Congress does not have the power to stop Saturday delivery Therefore: (Quickly explain why on your paper.) Does Congress have the power to stop Saturday mail delivery? FACTOR #1

WAIT! There are a few things you should know before you make up your mind. FACTOR #2 In your opinion, should Saturday mail delivery end?

The U.S. Postal Service pays for itself with the money it brings in from its services.

HOWEVER… The Postal Service is losing a LOT of money because people are sending fewer letters.

Instead of using the mail, people are texting and sending … … and paying their bills online.

In 2009, the Postal Service lost $ 3,800,000,000 (That’s $3.8 billion.) (With a “b.”) Stopping delivery on Saturdays would save the Postal Service $ 3,000,000,000 (That’s $3 billion.)

Is it worth it? Should you consider other factors besides how much money it costs? Decide what you think and mark your answer on your paper. Don’t forget to explain your choice. FACTOR #2 In your opinion, should Saturday mail delivery end?

Look at the checklist of values on your handout. FACTOR #3 Would your political party support ending Saturday delivery? Which value most matches the purpose of this bill?

Cost saving! FACTOR #3 Would your political party support ending Saturday delivery? That means the Republican Party would be most likely to support this bill.

WAIT! There are a few things you should know before you make up your mind. FACTOR #4 Would your voters support ending Saturday mail delivery?

In 1957, Congress passed a law to stop Saturday mail. It lasted one Saturday! Voters were so angry that Congress passed a bill to bring Saturday delivery back! Where’s our mail? We are MAD!

Did they have in 1957? A. Yes B. No (Do you think that would make a difference to voters today?) FACTOR #4 Would your voters support ending Saturday mail delivery?

FACTOR #4 For this activity, let’s pretend the state or district you represent has more older voters than younger voters. Would your voters support ending Saturday mail delivery?

FACTOR #4 Would your voters support ending Saturday mail delivery? Older voters are more likely to still use the Postal Service. Younger voters are more likely to use .

FACTOR #4 So… Do you think your voters will support this bill? Mark your papers. Would your voters support ending Saturday mail delivery?

TIME TO VOTE! You’ve looked at all four factors. Now you must weigh them all and decide whether to vote “yea” or “nay.” Mark your papers.

If you marked “yea,” raise your hand. If you marked “nay,” raise your hand. TIME TO VOTE!

Did the bill pass? TIME TO VOTE!

BILL “B” Increase the minimum wage from 25 cents! That’s a lot! We’d better look at the four factors… $7.25to$7.50 per hour.

FACTOR #1 Does Congress have the power to raise the minimum wage? What is the minimum wage? A.It’s the smallest amount anyone has ever earned! B. It’s the lowest hourly rate an employer is allowed to pay an employee.

FACTOR #1 Does Congress have the power to raise the minimum wage? Look at the list of powers Congress has. Does it say Congress can set peoples’ wages? A. Yes B. No

FACTOR #1 Does Congress have the power to raise the minimum wage? What power lets Congress do something that’s not on the list if it relates to something that is on the list? Make any laws “necessary and proper” for laws on the list!

FACTOR #1 Look at the list again. Is there a power that might relate to the money people earn at their jobs? Does Congress have the power to raise the minimum wage?

FACTOR #1 Does Congress have the power to raise the minimum wage? Here’s a hint: It’s one of these three powers: A. Establish post offices B.Pass laws about business that happens across state lines C. Declare war

FACTOR #1 Does Congress have the power to raise the minimum wage? Businesses are the ones that pay people a wage, so this power is related to a bill about the minimum wage.

FACTOR #1 Does Congress have the power to raise the minimum wage? Mark your papers!

FACTOR #2 In your opinion, should Congress raise the minimum wage to $7.50 per hour?

FACTOR #3 Would your political party support raising the minimum wage? Look at the checklist of values on your handout. Which value most matches the purpose of this bill?

FACTOR #3 Would your political party support raising the minimum wage? Generosity! That means the Democratic Party would be most likely to support this bill.

FACTOR #4 Would your voters support raising the minimum wage? WAIT! There is some important information that will help you decide...

FACTOR #4 Would your voters support raising the minimum wage? Some states have their own minimum wage that is higher than the national minimum wage. Some do not.

C HECK OUT THE MINIMUM WAGE LAWS IN YOUR STATE : The state’s minimum wage law is… higher lower equal to … the national minimum wage. No state minimum wage. Source: January 1, 2010 Write down the information for your state.

FACTOR #4 Would your voters support raising the minimum wage? Mark your papers!

You’ve looked at all four factors. Now you must weigh them all and decide whether to vote “yea” or “nay.” Mark your papers. TIME TO VOTE!

If you marked “yea,” raise your hand. If you marked “nay,” raise your hand. TIME TO VOTE!

Did the bill pass? TIME TO VOTE!

BILL “C” The government will give titles of nobility to some citizens. Hey! Who made her Queen? Dunno! Better look at the four factors…

FACTOR #1 Does Congress have the power to grant titles of nobility? Is “granting titles of nobility” on the list of Congress’s powers? A. Yes B. No C. Absolutely not!!

FACTOR #1 Does Congress have the power to grant titles of nobility? The Constitution specifically says that “no title of nobility shall be granted by the United States.”

FACTOR #1 Does Congress have the power to grant titles of nobility? Mark your papers!

FACTOR #2 In your opinion, should Congress grant titles of nobility? Mark your papers!

FACTOR #3 Would your political party support granting titles of nobility? Look at the checklist of values on your handout. Do any of the values match the purpose of this bill?

FACTOR #3 Would your political party support granting titles of nobility? No! Neither party would support this bill. It’s just plain un-American! X XXXXX

FACTOR #4 Since not everyone would get a special title, do you think most voters would support this? Mark your papers! Would your voters support granting titles of nobility?

You’ve looked at all four factors. Now you must weigh them all and decide— WAIT! TIME TO VOTE!

There is one factor that matters more than all the rest. Which one is it? A. Congress’s power B. Your personal opinion C. Political party support D. What your voters think TIME TO VOTE!

Would a bill clearly against Congress’s power even make it to a vote? A. Probably B. Probably not TIME TO VOTE!

If this bill did come to a vote, would YOU vote yea or nay? Mark your papers. TIME TO VOTE!