1. September 13, 2006 Ch 6: Congress Sec 3: Representing Americans

2. BW1. Requirements & Benefits of Congress Why are members of Congress granted immunity? Why are members of Congress granted immunity? To allow them to say and do what they believe is right without fear of interference To allow them to say and do what they believe is right without fear of interference

3. BW2. Congressional Staff: Behind-the-Scenes Helpers What is the purpose of the CRS? What is the purpose of the CRS? It researches facts and identifies arguments for and against bills it uses computers to keep track of congressional bills. It researches facts and identifies arguments for and against bills it uses computers to keep track of congressional bills.

4. BW3. Members of Congress at Work Why do members of Congress try to get pork- barrel projects? Why do members of Congress try to get pork- barrel projects? These projects benefit constituents and help increase their electoral support. These projects benefit constituents and help increase their electoral support.

5. HW1. Key Terms Write a true/false statement; explain why false: Write a true/false statement; explain why false: Franking Privilege: send mail without paying postage Franking Privilege: send mail without paying postage Lobbyist: hired to influence government decision makers Lobbyist: hired to influence government decision makers Casework: work to help constituents with a problem Casework: work to help constituents with a problem Pork-barrel project: projects & grants that benefit the home district or state Pork-barrel project: projects & grants that benefit the home district or state

6. HW2. Contrast Explain the difference between a congressional committee staff member and a member of the personal staff of a representative or senator. Explain the difference between a congressional committee staff member and a member of the personal staff of a representative or senator. Committee staff members work for the committee. Committee staff members work for the committee. Personal staffers work for a member of Congress. Personal staffers work for a member of Congress.

7. HW3. Summarize Describe the role of the General Accounting Office. Describe the role of the General Accounting Office. The GAO reviews spending activities of federal agencies, studies federal programs, and recommends ways to improve government’s financial performance. The GAO reviews spending activities of federal agencies, studies federal programs, and recommends ways to improve government’s financial performance.

8. HW3. Summarize What does the Congressional Budget Office do? What does the Congressional Budget Office do? The CBO provides information for budgetary decisions. The CBO provides information for budgetary decisions.

9. HW4. Drawing Conclusions Why do you think congressional committees need permanent, full-time staff members? Why do you think congressional committees need permanent, full-time staff members? Explain Explain

10. HW5. Summarizing Information Write the 3 major jobs/functions of members of Congress. Give examples. Write the 3 major jobs/functions of members of Congress. Give examples. Lawmaking Lawmaking Handling casework Handling casework Helping district/state Helping district/state

11. HW6. Conclude Reexamine the picture of Representative Mary Bono taking the oath of office on pg. 152. Reexamine the picture of Representative Mary Bono taking the oath of office on pg. 152. Why do you think the Speaker administers the oath? Why do you think the Speaker administers the oath? The Speaker is the most powerful leader in the House. The Speaker is the most powerful leader in the House.

12. Class work…continued What is a National Issue? What is a National Issue? Finish worksheet; discuss all questions asked in the directions. Finish worksheet; discuss all questions asked in the directions. On the back, list at least 5 national issues, the change desired, what the national government can do, and what you can do. On the back, list at least 5 national issues, the change desired, what the national government can do, and what you can do.