1. MISSION PREVIEW 114 th Congress

2. 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%)

3. Introducing the Culminating Challenge Mission Preview FLOOR 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.

4. 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!

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. Developing Subject Matter Expertise: Crash Course Videos and Textbook Readings Class Activities and Lectures Individual and Team Tasks

8. Getting Started Draw State/Party from a hat Task 1: State Analysis  Become familiar with your constituents  Due on Friday