Congress & Pork Barrel
Research Project
AP
Government
Directions:
Use the Internet to obtain information to answer the following questions. Make
sure your answers are comprehensive and coherent. You will need to type your answers on a separate sheet of paper. Please
label the assignment as this sheet is labeled. This assignment will
count as a 50 point project grade.
- Define pork barrel spending. (1
point)
- Go to http://thomas.loc.gov/
or your textbook to find out the following information:
- Click on House of Representatives. Find the list
of standing House of Rep. Committees. Pick 3 and explain their major
function. Research and explain one
issue recently before each of those committees. (9
points)
- Click on Senate. Find the list of standing
Senate Committees. Pick 3 and
explain their major function.
Research and explain one issue recently before each of those
committees. (9 points)
- Go to “Citizens Against Government Waste”
website (www.cagw.org ). Click on “2015
Congressional Pig Book Summary at the bottom of the first column.
- Read the 2015 summary. (Click on pdf file for a
more readable file). What were the two categories that saw smallest
decrease in pork spending from 2012 to
2015? (2 points)
- From 3 areas in the appropriation summary, pick
3 specific projects. Summarize the
people, the amounts received, and the projects. (9
points)
- Find the 2014 congressional Ratings by click on
the Read More button in the first column then scrolling down to the
bottom of the page. Name the Representatives and Senators with the
highest points. (5 points)
- Find a site or post concerned about pork barrel
spending reform (besides cagw).
- List site you selected and the organization who
publishes it. (1 point)
- Summarize in a paragraph what positions the
website holds. Include details from the site that illustrates the site’s
views. (2 points)
- Find your congressional district & your Congressman.
Go to his website.
- Find out and explain a piece of legislation
they have been recently involved with, what constituent services they
offer, and on what committees they serve. (7 points)
- Send an email to them explaining the
following: (5 points)
·
You are currently
a student at Philip Barbour High School in AP US Government & Politics
·
An inquiry about
issues they are concerned with in Washington that will have a direct impact on
you.
·
CC to me or a
copy of your email attached. I recommend
using school email account.
Due Date: December 22, 2015
WEIGHTED RUBRIC FOR CONGRESSIONAL
PROJECT
Project Component
|
Point Value
|
Part 1: Definition
|
/1
|
Part 2a: House Committee 1
House Committee 2
House Committee 3
Part 2b: Senate Committee 1
Senate Committee 2
Senate Committee 3
|
/3
/3
/3
/3
/3
/3
|
Part 3a: Summary
Part 3b: Project 1
Project 2
Project 3
Part 3c: Rankings
|
/2
/3
/3
/3
/5
|
Part 4a: Site & Publisher
Part 4b: Site Summary
|
/1
/2
|
Part 5a: Congressional Info.
Part 5b: E-mail
|
/7
/5
|
Final Grade on all Components
|
/50
|
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