Standards
SSCG9 The student will explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, with emphasis on terms of office, powers, organization, leadership, and representation of each house.
SSCG10 The student will describe the legislative process including the roles played by committees and leadership.
a. Explain the steps in the legislative process.
b. Explain the function of various leadership positions within the legislature.
SSCG11 The student will describe the influence of lobbyists (business, labor, professional organizations) and special interest groups on the legislative process.
a. Explain the function of lobbyists.
b. Describe the laws and rules that govern lobbyists.
c. Explain the function of special interest groups.
SSCG14 The student will explain the impeachment process and its usage for elected officials.
a. Explain the impeachment process as defined in the U.S. Constitution.
b. Describe the impeachment proceedings of Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.
SSCG10 The student will describe the legislative process including the roles played by committees and leadership.
13) JOURNAL ENTRY, “Activating Words Unit 7”
13) JOURNAL ENTRY, “Activating Words Unit 7”
- On the Right Side – First, Define the following: Bicameral, Majority/Minority Party, Speaker of the House, president pro tempore, House Rules Committee, filibuster, riders, and cloture. Along side the definition give one specific additional fact to go with each. Use the below link for most of your information.
- On the Left Side – Describe the difference between a Standing Committee, Select Committee, Joint Committee, and Conference Committee. Make sure you indicate the purpose for each.
SSCG9 The student will explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, with emphasis on terms of office, powers, organization, leadership, and representation of each house.
14) JOURNAL ENTRY, “Requirements and Organization”
Essential Question – What are the requirements and organization of the Senate and the House of Representatives?
14) JOURNAL ENTRY, “Requirements and Organization”
Essential Question – What are the requirements and organization of the Senate and the House of Representatives?
- On the Right Side – Using the links below, make a T-Chart (Senate and House of Representatives) with the following categories: Why the body was created (intention), members, term length, leaders, and qualifications. Underneath this write briefly on the role of the Majority/Minority Leaders and Whips.
- http://www.sparknotes.com/us-government-and-politics/american-government/congress/section1.rhtml
- http://www.cqpress.com/context/constitution/docs/structure_powers.html
- Majority Minority Leaders and Whips Purpose
- On the Left Side – Using the link, write about the three main reasons for the formation of a bicameral body as opposed to a unicameral.
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a. Explain the steps in the legislative process.
15) JOURNAL ENTRY, “How a Bill becomes a Law”
Essential Question – How does a Bill become a Law?
15) JOURNAL ENTRY, “How a Bill becomes a Law”
Essential Question – How does a Bill become a Law?
- On the Left and Right Side – Create a flow chart that describes in detail how a bill becomes a law. Give plenty of details. You can make you chart look anyway you like.
- o http://www.genome.gov/12513982
- How a Bill becomes a Law
- Underneath (or beside) this. Use the link below to describe the three main categories of legislation. Make sure you understand the differences between each of the categories.
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Lastly, look/click the image below and determine at which step is the Bill the most likely to fail. Write your answer in a complete sentence and tell why?
b. Explain the function of various leadership positions within the legislature.
16) JOURNAL ENTRY, “Role of Leadership and Committees”
Essential Question – What is the role of the Leadership and Committees in Congress?
16) JOURNAL ENTRY, “Role of Leadership and Committees”
Essential Question – What is the role of the Leadership and Committees in Congress?
- On the Right Side – Using the link and the graphic organizer "Congressional Leadership," identify the leadership positions of the House and the Senate and their roles.

congressional_leadership.doc | |
File Size: | 24 kb |
File Type: | doc |
On the Left Side - Investigate and report on the following Committees: House Committee of Rules, House Committee of Ways and Means, House Committee of Transportation, and House Committee of Agriculture. Include only the Chairman, members (number from each party), and then click the Official Website and then the "About " tab and give a simple synopsis of the role that they play. Lastly, select any two Committees from the Senate and get the same information. Did you notice anything different in respect to their leadership? You can use the worksheet to organize your responses.

house_and_senate_committees.docx | |
File Size: | 64 kb |
File Type: | docx |
SSCG11 The student will describe the influence of lobbyists (business, labor, professional organizations) and special interest groups on the legislative process.a. Explain the function of lobbyists.
b. Describe the laws and rules that govern lobbyists.
c. Explain the function of special interest groups.
17) JOURNAL ENTRY, “Lobbyists and Special Interest Groups”
Essential Question – What are Lobbyists? What is the role of Special Interest Groups?
b. Describe the laws and rules that govern lobbyists.
c. Explain the function of special interest groups.
17) JOURNAL ENTRY, “Lobbyists and Special Interest Groups”
Essential Question – What are Lobbyists? What is the role of Special Interest Groups?
- On the Right Side – First, define the following: Interest Group, Lobbyist, and Constituents. Then answer the series of questions using the following links. You must write out the questions in your journal.
- What are lobbyists and who do they work for?
- What are lobbyists and Special Interest Groups?
- Visit the Site on Laws governing Lobbying and write a brief summary of the sections detailing what Lobbyists can give Congressional members (gifts and travel expenses).
- Rules of Lobbying
- How much have lobbyists spending increased from 1998 to 2012?
- http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/
- What industries spend the most on lobbying (TOP 5, include total spent) - Investigate which party gets most of their money.
- http://dc.about.com/od/jobs/a/Lobbying.htm
- On the Left Side – Preview this link: Answer the series of questions using the following links. You must write out the questions in your journal.
- How have PACs tried to influence election results? Summarize the article in ½ page.
- http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/229649-super-pac-ads-look-to-tie-obama-to-wall-street-depress-turnout
- How has the NRA become one of the strongest special interest groups? Summarize the article in ½ page.
- http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2012/06/eric_holder_charged_with_contempt_how_did_the_nra_swing_the_votes_of_so_many_democrats_.html
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SSCG14 The student will explain the impeachment process and its usage for elected officials.a. Explain the impeachment process as defined in the U.S. Constitution.b. Describe the impeachment proceedings of Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.
18) JOURNAL ENTRY, “The Power of Congress - Impeachment”
Essential Question – What is Impeachment? And when has this power of Congress been used in history?
18) JOURNAL ENTRY, “The Power of Congress - Impeachment”
Essential Question – What is Impeachment? And when has this power of Congress been used in history?
- On the Left and Right Side – First, define "impeachment." Make sure you include what crimes can cause a vote of Impeachment. Then look at the two times in history where a president was Impeached by the House. Write a detailed summary of each event. Were these Presidents removed from office? Why or Why not?