American Government/The purpose of this exercise is to become familiar with the workings of Congress.  It is an Article I (of the U.S. Constitution) study tool.  Please follow the file’s instructions carefully.

Directions:  The purpose of this exercise is to become familiar with the workings of Congress.  It is an Article I (of the U.S. Constitution) study tool. Please follow these instructions carefully.

1. Visit either of the congressional websites:  senate.gov or www.house.gov.
2. Select a CURRENT Senator or Member of Congress from the website that is of interest to you.  It may be a Senator from your home state or perhaps some one that you have seen on the news and would like to know more about.
3. Research the life and legislative record of that Senator or Member of Congress.
4. Prepare a research paper that addresses the following issues:
   1. A brief (two paragraph) biography of the subject.
   2. What led this person to run for public office?
   3. On what committees and subcommittees does the subject serve?
   4. List three significant pieces of legislation that the subject has sponsored and describe the importance of the legislation; as well as what groups or factions supported and opposed the legislation.
   5. Would you describe the subject as an effective legislator and why?

Address these issues in a paper of AT LEAST five (5) pages in length.  The paper should be typed, double-spaced, 1” margins, with a font size no larger than 12 points, nor smaller the 10 point.  Undertake as much outside research as necessary to adequately answer the questions above.