Procedures

• STEP 1:

  Warm-up Questions-

  • Which branch of government has the power to determine spending?

  • What are the steps in making laws?

• STEP 2:

  Review the powers of Congress and the legislative process.

• STEP 3:

  Pass out the following handout.

  Handout: Earmarks and Pork Barrel Ban (Google Doc)

• STEP 4:

  Have the students view the first three video clips and answer the following questions:

  Clip 1- John McCain and Pork Barrel Spending (3:10)

  Clip 2- What is Pork Barrel Spending (3:31)

  Clip 3- Pork Barrel Spending, Earmarks and Transparency (2:29)

  • What are earmarks and pork?

  • What are some examples of earmarks and pork barrel spending?

  • What are the criticisms of earmarks and pork barrel spending?

  • Why is the lack of transparency in earmarks a problem?

• STEP 5:

  Using the handout have the students view the following four video clips and answer the following questions:

  Clip 4- 2012 Congressional Pig Book (3:40)

  Clip 5- Mitch McConnell's Reelection and Earmarks (1:41)

  Clip 6- Congressman John Delaney and Pork (1:25)

  Clip 7- Senator Jeff Flake on Earmarks (4:06)

  Clip 8- Congressional Earmarks and Pork Ban (5:41)

  • What are the consequences of the ban on earmarks?

  • How has the ban on earmarks impacted Congressional reelection campaigns?

  • Explain the impact of the ban on earmarks on transparency?

  • Has the ban on earmarks and pork been effective?

• STEP 6:

  After answering the questions, have the students use the handout to create a list of pros and cons about earmarks.

• STEP 7:

  Writing prompt- Using evidence and examples from the clips, argue whether Congressional earmarks should be restored.

• EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

  • Create your own Pork Project- Create an earmark that would benefit your community and would. What would be benefits and drawbacks of this project?

  • Political Cartoon- Create a political cartoon that addresses some of the issues or examples that are referenced in the clips.