The document contains notes from a civics simulation about the U.S. Congress. It discusses how a bill becomes law, the unique powers of the House and Senate, influential members of Congress, and motivations for Congressional actions. Key points include that a bill needs majority votes in committee and chambers, as well as the president's signature, to become law. It also outlines committee assignments, leadership roles, and lobbying influences on Congress.

1. DRAW A LINE SEPARATING TODAY & YESTERDAY 1) Write: Date: 11/24/10 , Topic: Congress Sim 2) Next line, write “ Opener #49 ” and then: 1) Write 1 high + 1 low in last 24 hours 2) Rate your understanding of yesterday: lost < 1-5 > too easy (3 is perfect) 3) Respond to the Opener by writing at least 1 sentences about : Your opinions/thoughts OR/AND Questions sparked by the clip OR/AND Summary of the clip OR/AND Announcements: None

2. Agenda 1) Congress Introduction What you will be able to do: 1) Know how Congress works for you Reminder 1) No homework

4. Notes #48a , Title: “ Congress Notes ” 1) How a Bill Becomes a Law 1) Committee votes: 1/2+ 2) Floor votes: 1/2+ (If a Senate filibuster, 60+ to stop filibuster, 60 is key !) 3) Other chamber: (H or S) 4) Conference Comm: Work out any differences, then both H+S vote again (1/2+) 5) Pres Signs or Override Veto: 2/3 H+S to override

5. Notes #49a , Title: “ Congressional Powers ” 1) Unique Senate Power : a) Amendments : Any senator can suggest bill edits ( even riders ) b) Riders : Additions that are off topic c) Earmarks : Specifying spending (on/off topic) d) Filibuster : Any senator can talk to delay a bill ( Cloture: 60 votes stop filibuster e) Confirm Presidential Appointees : 1/2+ f) Ratify Treaties : 2/3+

6. 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, why they have a Rules Committee.

7. 3) Most Powerful Member of Congress Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader : Leaders 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: John Boehner (R) Senate Majority Leader: Harry Reid (D) Former Powerful Members: House Rules Chairperson: Louise Slaughter House Ways & Means: Charles Rangel House Finance: Barney Frank House Appropriations: David Obey Senate Appropriations: Robert Byrd Senate Judiciary: Patrick Leahy

8. 4) Tools Party Leader Can Use : Committee Assignments (majority appoints chairs) Office Space Raise Campaign Funds (DSCC, DCCC, NRSC, NRCC)

9. Diane Feinstein’s Committees (Former SF Mayor) Appropriations Judiciary Barbara Boxer’s Committees (Career Politician) Commerce+Science Environment*, Foreign Relations Ethics* Mike Honda’s Committees (Sunnyvale HS Teacher) Appropriations *Chair of that committee

10. Journ. #49a , Title “ West Wing APA Notes ” 1) Copy: Sorkin, Aaron. (1999). Shibboleth. West Wing. Burbank, CA: Warner Bros. 2-X) From show, pick out quotes , ideas , or facts that will support your response to the essay prompt. At the very end , write the in text citation format: (Sorkin, 2009). Show Review Topic: What aspects of today’s clip will you want to copy in your own film.

11. Take out the 2 forms + slips Review How a Bill Becomes a Law 1) Committee votes: 1/2+ 2) Floor votes: 1/2+ (If a Senate filibuster, 60+ to stop filibuster, 60 is key !) 3) Other chamber: (H or S) 4) Conference Comm: Work out any differences, then both H+S vote again (1/2+) 5) Pres Signs or Override Veto: 2/3 H+S to override

13. Look For Their Locations House of Reps: Speaker’s Office (DEM) House of Reps: Minority Leader’s Office (GOP) House of Reps: Appropriations Committee House of Reps: Education Committee House of Reps: Rules Committee Conference Committee Supreme Court Lobbyist (K-Street) White House Senate: Majority Leader’s Office (DEM) Senate: Minority Leader’s Office (GOP) Senate: Appropriations Committee Senate: Education Committee Chairperson Page House Senate

14. Write 2 Bills: 1 on anything costing money, 2: Pre-School Elementary School Middle School High School Higher Education Community College College Past Ideas: Organic food in schools, global sports education, $20,000 extra money for teaching in worst schools, removing tenure at low test score schools, laptops for poor kids, end sports programs in urban poor schools and spend that money on better education.

15. School Reform Review 1) School Structure Reform Ideas : a) Small Learning Communities b) Themed (Majors) Schools c) At Risk-Gifted (Tracked) Schools 2) School Competition Reform Ideas : a) Charters b) Vouchers 3) Teacher Reform Ideas : a) Student Testing Accountability b) Reducing Union Power/Tenure c) Pay Teachers More (Combat + Performance Pay) d) Train Teachers to Use More Effective Methods 4) Student Reform Ideas : a) Provide Students Tech Resources (Laptops) b) Pay Students

16. Roles Congress: Write, edit, vote Leader/Speaker: Prioritize, deliver bills to committeed Minority Leader: Hover com chairs to pass your bills Pres/VP/Lobbyists: Convince Congress to introduce bill Turn in your checks with your quiz!

17. Roles Congress: Write, edit, vote Leader/Speaker: Prioritize, deliver bills to committeed Minority Leader: Hover com chairs to pass your bills Pres/VP/Lobbyists: Convince Congress to introduce bill Turn in your checks with your quiz!

19. F-22 Fighter Program Cost: $62 billion, $137 million per plane. Parts of it are built in 200 congressional districts.

20. Journ #49c , 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 ).

21. Notes #41b , Title: “ Congress Notes ” 5) Kinds of Motivations 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 can campaign for you/against you, not invite to parties c) Media: Need to not look bad to voters d) Beliefs: Personal desire to do what’s right e) Voter Demands: Voter input in visits to office, letters, phones, emails, and faxes REMEMBER GOVT WORKS FOR YOU!