Know Your Senators Honors Civics
Mini-Project 75 Points Spring 2011
-Visit the Washington Post’s “Vote Database”:
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/112/senate/members/
-Browse the list of the 100 current U.S. Senators. Choose any 1 senator to research. Mr. Meli must approve your selection since no two students can report on the same senator.
-The site has basic biographical information, links to Washington Post stories relating to each senator, and a detailed section on their voting record*.
*Do not choose a senator who has little—no experience, because they will not have a significant voting record (Example: Richard Blumenthal-D CT).*
-There are 2 main parts to this project
1) Basic information (25 Points)
Write a 1-2 page report on the Senator’s background. Explain where he or she came from, including education, previous employment, and previous public service, how he/she was elected (or appointed) into the Senate, re-election campaign information/plans, and where he/she claims to stand on the issues. Use the Senator’s homepage (link on http://www.senate.gov), the Washington Post profile, and news articles relating to your senator for information.
2) Voting Record (50 Points)
Write a 2-5 page report on your senator’s voting record. Use the Washington Post website (link on top of sheet) find out your senator’s “key votes.” You must explain 5 key votes from your senator. To find out about the bill, click on the link from the “key vote” section. You should also discuss the votes your senator missed (if any) and the percentage of times that your senator voted with his or her party. You should write an overall analysis of your senator’s voting record as it compares with his or her political views as portrayed to the public.
Due Date: Tuesday May 31, 2011; 10% off each class day late
Papers must be typed in 12 point font, double spaced, within the length guidelines listed above.
Papers should be stapled together with separate headings for each report. Format Below:
Part 1 (Top Left Corner of Page) Part 2 (Top Left Corner of Page)
Your Name Your Name
Senator (Last Name) Basic Information Senator (Last Name) Voting Record
May 31, 2011 May 31, 2011
