Warm Up Which committee in the House of Representatives works on the tax bills? Which committee in the Senate works on the tax bills? Opinion: Recently the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, said, “The legislative agenda of Barak Obama is over.” What did he mean? Ways and Means Committee Finance Committee

Learning Goal: Students will identify the ways Congress in influenced. Influencing Congress Standard 12.4 Learning Goal: Students will identify the ways Congress in influenced.

I. Influence of Voters Members of Congress usually vote what their constituents want This helps with reelection Accessing Voter Information Go back to districts Messages/letters Surveys/Polls Key Supporters

II. Influence of Parties Members usually vote with the political party Members are not experts on all issues so they seek advice from other members.

Democrats: usually vote for social-welfare programs, job programs through public works, tax laws helping lower income & gov’t regulating business Republicans: support lower taxes, less gov’t spending, support business, limit gov’t involvement in economy & local & state solutions over federal

III. Other Influences The President Interest Groups The lobbyist focus attention on committees Political Action Committees (PAC) Political fund-raising organizations

Committee Action Continue to discuss bills and go through the handout together. If you finish your bills you may work on homework or your other committee action sheets (the vocabulary sheet)

Guided Reading Use pages 189-198 Each person takes turns reading and writing, you go back and forth, I should see two people’s writing when you are done Due at the end of class!