About Us
Congress: The Context
The simulation has 25 fictitious roles included in this section. The first letter in the role code (R or D) refers to party. The original simulation assumed that Republicans had a slight majority in the House of Representatives and in each House committee. Obviously, which party holds the majority has changed from time to time—for the purposes of the simulation, which party holds sway is arbitrary and does not alter the dynamics of committee action. The second letter (A, B, C, or D) refers to one of four possible positions on the minimum wage:
No change or a modest change phased in gradually after 2009.
A bigger change, yet still less than what HR 666 proposes, that adjusts the minimum wage upwards from the $7.25 effective in July 2009.
$1 increase over two years as provided in HR 666.
A much greater increase than provided in HR 666 plus indexing each year to the CPI.
Each position is favored by roughly a fourth of the committee. Only Republican members support position A. Only Democratic members support position D. Positions B and C have bipartisan support.
If your class size is less than 25, eliminate roles as follows:
|
Number of Students |
Roles to be Eliminated |
24 |
DD-6 |
23 |
The above role + RA-6 |
22 |
The above roles + DC-4 |
21 |
The above roles + RB-4 |
20 |
The above roles + DD-5 |
19 |
The above roles + RA-5 |
18 |
The above roles + DB-2 |
17 |
The above roles + RC-3 |
16 |
The above roles + DD-3 |
15 |
The above roles + RA-4 |
If your class size is more than 25, duplicate roles as follows:
| Number of Students | Roles to be Duplicated |
26 |
RB-2 |
27 |
The above role + DD-2 |
28 |
The above roles + RA-2 |
29 |
The above roles + DC-2 |
30 |
The above roles + RB-3 |
31 |
The above roles + DD-3 |
32 |
The above roles + RA-3 |
33 |
The above roles + DC-3 |
34 |
The above roles + RB-4 |
35 |
The above roles + DD-4 |
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RA-1
|
Republican, OH |
Years Served in U.S. House: 14 years |
District Description: Your district in OH is fairly conservative. Unions do not hold much power over the workers in your district. The vast majority of these workers are not employed as industrial workers and don’t join unions. There is an inherent distrust in your district of unions.
Total PAC Contributions: $532,580 (52.3%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $487,060 (96.2%)
Labor Contributions: $20,725 (4.1%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 3%
Americans for Democratic Action: 0%
US Chamber of Commerce: 93%
American Conservative Union: 94%
Position on minimum wage increase: You believe that the market should freely set wages, not government regulation. You would prefer to repeal the federal minimum wage but realize this is politically unrealistic. If there is going to be a federal minimum wage it should remain unchanged or kept as low as possible. Any increases should be modest and should be phased in over a number of years.
Leadership role: You are the vice-chairman. Your task is to keep the GOP members voting together.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RA-2
| Republican, GA | Years Served in U.S. House: 10 years |
District Description: Your district in GA is conservative. The unions grip is somewhat limited here since Augusta politics are not strongly influenced by Union bosses.
Total PAC Contributions: $276,410 (33.9%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $231,762 (94.2%)
Labor Contributions: $4,000 (1.6%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 13%
Americans for Democratic Action: 10%
US Chamber of Commerce: 85%
American Conservative Union: 97%
Position on minimum wage increase: You believe that the market should freely set wages, not government regulation. You would prefer to repeal the federal minimum wage but realize this is politically unrealistic. If there is going to be a federal minimum wage it should remain unchanged or kept as low as possible. Any increases should be modest and should be phased in over a number of years.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RA-3
| Republican, OK | Years Served in U.S. House: 10 years |
District Description: Your district in OK votes heavily GOP. Your district has a heavy agricultural workforce which means little Union influence.
Total PAC Contributions: $325,316 (35.6%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $305,804 (96.9%)
Labor Contributions: $5,000 (1.6%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 3%
Americans for Democratic Action: 0%
US Chamber of Commerce: 93%
American Conservative Union: 97%
Position on minimum wage increase: You believe that the market should freely set wages, not government regulation. You would prefer to repeal the federal minimum wage but realize this is politically unrealistic. If there is going to be a federal minimum wage it should remain unchanged or kept as low as possible. Any increases should be modest and should be phased in over a number of years.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RA-4
| Republican, IL | Years Served in U.S. House: 14 years |
District Description: Your district in IL is a GOP stronghold. After all President Reagan’s birthplace is in the heart of district. The majority of your district is made up of middle to upper middle classes which support a conservative platform.
Total PAC Contributions: $1,160,619 (42.2%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $953,606 (91.3%)
Labor Contributions: $63,000 (6.0%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 7%
Americans for Democratic Action: 0%
US Chamber of Commerce: 93%
American Conservative Union: 93%
Position on minimum wage increase: You believe that the market should freely set wages, not government regulation. You would prefer to repeal the federal minimum wage but realize this is politically unrealistic. If there is going to be a federal minimum wage it should remain unchanged or kept as low as possible. Any increases should be modest and should be phased in over a number of years.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RA-5
| Republican, NC | Years Served in U.S. House: 10 years |
District Description: Your district is a heavy farming district so the manufacturing and production unions really have no hold on your constituency. In fact they are almost non-existent in your district.
Total PAC Contributions: $133,500 (8.7%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $131,800 (89.5%)
Labor Contributions: 0 (0%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 4%
Americans for Democratic Action: 5%
US Chamber of Commerce: 90%
American Conservative Union: 95%
Position on minimum wage increase: You believe that the market should freely set wages, not government regulation. You would prefer to repeal the federal minimum wage but realize this is politically unrealistic. If there is going to be a federal minimum wage it should remain unchanged or kept as low as possible. Any increases should be modest and should be phased in over a number of years.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RA-6
| Republican, TX | Years Served in U.S. House: 4 years |
District Description: Oil business is big business in your district. The oilmen like it when you keep government meddling in their business to a minimum. The conservative Southern Democrat vote here helps you out.
Total PAC Contributions: $969,043 (14.4%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $1,017,009 (96.5%)
Labor Contributions: $969,043 (14.4%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 4%
Americans for Democratic Action: 5%
US Chamber of Commerce: 95%
American Conservative Union: 93%
Position on minimum wage increase: You believe that the market should freely set wages, not government regulation. You would prefer to repeal the federal minimum wage but realize this is politically unrealistic. If there is going to be a federal minimum wage it should remain unchanged or kept as low as possible. Any increases should be modest and should be phased in over a number of years.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RB-1
| Republican, KY | Years Served in U.S. House: 4 years |
District Description: Your constituency has begun looking for jobs outside of your district because of guaranteed higher pay elsewhere. You’re hoping that through raising the minimum wage it will help to maintain some of the workforce that remains inside your district, yet at the same time you don’t want to strike a blow at the business in your district.
Total PAC Contributions: $712,691 (60.4%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $637,325 (94.1%)
Labor Contributions: $20,000 (3.0%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 2%
Americans for Democratic Action: 0%
US Chamber of Commerce: 93%
American Conservative Union: 96%
Position on minimum wage increase: You believe that the current minimum wage of $5.15, which was set in 1997, should be raised to $5.80 to keep pace with the increase in the cost of living since 1997-no more.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RB-2
| Republican, VA | Years Served in U.S. House: 6 years |
District Description: Some of the blue collar workers in your district have been hurt by the recent economic downtown of the past few years. You feel it’s in their best interests if the government were to raise the minimum wage a bit and help out all workers who’ve had some economic problems.
Total PAC Contributions: $274,938
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $215,091 (85.2%)
Labor Contributions: $1,000 (0.4%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 4%
Americans for Democratic Action: 5%
US Chamber of Commerce: 95%
American Conservative Union: 98%
Position on minimum wage increase: You believe that the current minimum wage of $5.85, which was set in 2007 and will increase over two years to $7.25, should be raised to $$7.75 to keep pace with the increase in the cost of living but no more.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RB-3
| Republican, NC | Years Served in U.S. House: 8 years |
District Description: Your district in NC needs an economic shot in the arm to get it to bounce back from some tough economic times. You want a compromise in which both workers and businesses can benefit.
Total PAC Contributions: $276,410 (33.9%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $231,762 (94.2%)
Labor Contributions: $4,000 (1.6%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 13%
Americans for Democratic Action: 10%
US Chamber of Commerce: 85%
American Conservative Union: 97%
Position on minimum wage increase: You believe that the current minimum wage of $5.85, which was set in 2007 and will increase over two years to $7.25, should be raised to $$7.75 to keep pace with the increase in the cost of living but no more.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RB-4
| Republican, VA | Years Served in U.S. House: 14 years |
District Description: Your district in VA gas a growing unionization movement. In order to appease the growing threat unions could pose to you, you want to support something that pleases the unions, but isn’t a burden to bear on the companies in your district.
Total PAC Contributions: $1,160,619 (42.2%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $953,606 (91.3%)
Labor Contributions: $63,000 (6.0%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 7%
Americans for Democratic Action: 0%
US Chamber of Commerce: 93%
American Conservative Union: 93%
Position on minimum wage increase: You believe that the current minimum wage of $5.85, which was set in 2007 and will increase over two years to $7.25, should be raised to $$7.75 to keep pace with the increase in the cost of living but no more.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: DB-1
| Democrat, NY | Years Served in U.S. House: 14 years |
District Description: The recent economic downturn as well as the terrorist attacks of 9-11 in NYC has severely damaged your district’s economy. The workers in your district need something to help them recover from the economic problems, yet you also don’t want to make much harder on the struggling business in your district.
Total PAC Contributions: $470,961 (8.1%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $135,881 (29.9%)
Labor Contributions: $185,600 (40.8%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 94%
Americans for Democratic Action: 95%
US Chamber of Commerce: 23%
American Conservative Union: 11%
Position on minimum wage increase: You believe that the current minimum wage of $5.85, which was set in 2007 and will increase over two years to $7.25, should be raised to $$7.75 to keep pace with the increase in the cost of living but no more.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: DB-2
| Democrat, CA | Years Served in U.S. House: 4 years |
District Description: Ever since tech stocks busted, the economic conditions in your district haven’t been great. You feel a compromise is needed between those workers for the workers in the tech industry who were hurt in your district, but the tech businesses themselves can’t handle too much of a burden.
Total PAC Contributions: $187,026 (36.0%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $41,425 (24.0%)
Labor Contributions: $123,000 (71.3%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 100%
Americans for Democratic Action: 95%
US Chamber of Commerce: 31%
American Conservative Union: 9%
Position on minimum wage increase: You believe that the current minimum wage of $5.85, which was set in 2007 and will increase over two years to $7.25, should be raised to $$7.75 to keep pace with the increase in the cost of living but no more.
You believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted so that the real purchasing power of the minimum wage can equal the purchasing power of the minimum wage in its peak in the year.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RC-1
| Republican, AZ | Years Served in U.S. House: 12 years |
District Description: There are business interests in your district that have a great deal of money to spread around. However, much of their workforce are first generation or naturalized Hispanic American workers. You have to play to the middle if you want to maintain the business vote and the growing Hispanic vote.
Total PAC Contributions: $216,596 (61.0%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $96,350 (52.1%)
Labor Contributions: $78,093 (42.2%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 70%
Americans for Democratic Action: 80%
US Chamber of Commerce: 87%
American Conservative Union: 85%
Position on minimum wage increase: You support HR 666, the bill being considered by the committee that raises the minimum wage $.50 in 2010 and another $.50 in 2011.
Leadership role: You are the Republican co-sponsor of HR 666.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RC-2
| Republican, CT | Years Served in U.S. House: 6 years |
District Description: Your district is a New England industrial center. It’s generally felt by many of your supporters that this amendment is a step in the right direction. Republicans up here tend to be more liberal than is the norm and given your fairly moderate stance on such issues as these, you’ve attracted Democratic support in your district as well.
Total PAC Contributions: $165,208 (54.7%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $66,650 (45.7%)
Labor Contributions: $53,295 (36.5%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 75%
Americans for Democratic Action: 70%
US Chamber of Commerce: 80%
American Conservative Union: 85%
Position on minimum wage increase: You support HR 666, the bill being considered by the committee, that raises the minimum wage $.50 in 2010 and another $.50 in 2011.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: RC-3
| Republican, SD | Years Served in U.S. House: 4 years |
District Description: You nearly lost your reelection bid this past year because your opponent hammered you hard on your record on supporting working families. She was able to draw a large portion of those working families into her camp. You support this resolution in order to shore up your reelection bid in another 2 years.
Total PAC Contributions: $216,596 (61.0%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $96,350 (52.1%)
Labor Contributions: $78,093 (42.2%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 65%
Americans for Democratic Action: 70%
US Chamber of Commerce: 80%
American Conservative Union: 85%
Position on minimum wage increase: You support HR 666, the bill being considered by the committee, that raises the minimum wage $.50 in 2010 and another $.50 in 2011.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: DC-1
| Democrat, MO | Years Served in U.S. House: 10 years |
District Description: You have a heavy blue collar electorate, but your district needs jobs. In an effort to attract business to your district you need to soften your hardliner stance against business.
Total PAC Contributions: $165,208 (54.7%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $53,295 (36.5%)
Labor Contributions: $66,650 (45.7%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 80%
Americans for Democratic Action: 80%
US Chamber of Commerce: 58%
American Conservative Union: 48%
Position on minimum wage increase: You support HR 666, the bill being considered by the committee, that raises the minimum wage $.50 in 2010 and another $.50 in 2011.
Leadership role: You are the Democratic co-sponsor of HR 666.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: DC-2
| Democrat, NY | Years Served in U.S. House: 4 years |
District Description: You must play toward the middle in your voting. You have to deal with those who live in your district, but work in the corporate arena in NYC and by those blue collar workers in nearby towns.
Total PAC Contributions: $273,875 (24.0%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $108,000 (35.5%)
Labor Contributions: $133,875 (44.1%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 80%
Americans for Democratic Action: 82%
US Chamber of Commerce: 52%
American Conservative Union: 45%
Position on minimum wage increase: You support HR 666, the bill being considered by the committee, that raises the minimum wage $.50 in 2010 and another $.50 in 2011.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: DC-3
| Democrat, OH | Years Served in U.S. House: 14 years |
District Description: Due to redistricting, you picked up a very large portion of Republicans in your newly redrawn district. In order to maintain your seat you’ve have had to dance toward to the middle to placate your new Republican electorate.
Total PAC Contributions: $165,208 (54.7%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $53,295 (36.5%)
Labor Contributions: $66,650 (45.7%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 75%
Americans for Democratic Action: 80%
US Chamber of Commerce: 50%
American Conservative Union: 43%
Position on minimum wage increase: You support HR 666, the bill being considered by the committee, that raises the minimum wage $.50 in 2010 and another $.50 in 2011.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: DC-4
| Democrat, AL | Years Served in U.S. House: 14 years |
District Description: Your district represents the old conservative southern Democrat. They tend to like some government involvement, but not too much. The majority of your constituency sees this amendment as a good move and isn’t too much federal involvement.
Total PAC Contributions: $165,208 (54.7%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $53,295 (36.5%)
Labor Contributions: $66,650 (45.7%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 75%
Americans for Democratic Action: 80%
US Chamber of Commerce: 50%
American Conservative Union: 43%
Position on minimum wage increase: You support HR 666, the bill being considered by the committee, that raises the minimum wage $.50 in 2010 and another $.50 in 2011.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: DD-1
| Democrat, CA | Years Served in U.S. House: 16 years |
District Description: A “San Francisco liberal” you have a very loyal constituency. Small factions of conservative Republicans oppose you. However, there is no real opposition to stand in your way there.
Total PAC Contributions: $484,408 (54.3%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $181,250 (37.0%)
Labor Contributions: $261,500 (53.3%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 96%
Americans for Democratic Action: 100%
US Chamber of Commerce: 22%
American Conservative Union: 2%
Position on minimum wage increase: Historically, the minimum wage has not kept pace with the cost of living. You believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted so that the real purchasing power of the minimum wage can equal the purchasing power of the minimum wage in its peak in the year 1968; thus the minimum wage should be raised to $8.50 per hour. To maintain the purchasing power of the minimum wage, you further believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted annually by the same percentage increase as the Consumer Price Index.
Leadership role: You are the ranking Democrat member of the committee. Your task is to keep the Democrats/ votes from splitting and to keep your party members in line.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: DD-2
| Democrat, MI | Years Served in U.S. House: 6 years |
District Description: Your district is very heavily industrialized. The automobile industry has a very powerful union that backs you a great deal. So long as the auto workers’ unions back you, you’ll be in office.
Total PAC Contributions: $337,288 (59.7%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $119,158 (37.3%)
Labor Contributions: $175,290 (54.8%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 96%
Americans for Democratic Action: 95%
US Chamber of Commerce: 27%
American Conservative Union: 7%
Position on minimum wage increase: Historically, the minimum wage has not kept pace with the cost of living. You believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted so that the real purchasing power of the minimum wage can equal the purchasing power of the minimum wage in its peak in the year 1968; thus the minimum wage should be raised to $8.50 per hour. To maintain the purchasing power of the minimum wage, you further believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted annually by the same percentage increase as the Consumer Price Index.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: DD-3
| Democrat, IL | Years Served in U.S. House: 4 years |
District Description: Your district contains Chicago. Chicago has generally been a Democratic stronghold in the past and the union interests in the city are strong.
Total PAC Contributions: $247,362 (35.2%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $74,260 (37.2%)
Labor Contributions: $104,550 (52.3%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 100%
Americans for Democratic Action: 95%
US Chamber of Commerce: 20%
American Conservative Union: 4%
Position on minimum wage increase: Historically, the minimum wage has not kept pace with the cost of living. You believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted so that the real purchasing power of the minimum wage can equal the purchasing power of the minimum wage in its peak in the year 1968; thus the minimum wage should be raised to $8.50 per hour. To maintain the purchasing power of the minimum wage, you further believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted annually by the same percentage increase as the Consumer Price Index.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: DD-4
| Democrat, WA | Years Served in U.S. House: 6 years |
District Description: Your district contains a large electorate, which is employed by the airline construction industry. With this large industry comes a large union following which has been very loyal to you in years past.
Total PAC Contributions: $213,624 (52.2%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $135,881 (29.9%)
Labor Contributions: $185,600 (40.8%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 94%
Americans for Democratic Action: 95%
US Chamber of Commerce: 23%
American Conservative Union: 18%
Position on minimum wage increase: Historically, the minimum wage has not kept pace with the cost of living. You believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted so that the real purchasing power of the minimum wage can equal the purchasing power of the minimum wage in its peak in the year 1968; thus the minimum wage should be raised to $8.50 per hour. To maintain the purchasing power of the minimum wage, you further believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted annually by the same percentage increase as the Consumer Price Index.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: DD-5
| Democrat, CA | Years Served in U.S. House: 10 years |
District Description: You represent the notoriously liberal district of CA which contains the left leaning film industry in Holly wood. Groups like the Screen Actors Guild and other unions donate a great deal of money to your campaigns.
Total PAC Contributions: $147,300 (58.6%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $46,300 (31.5%)
Labor Contributions: $92,000 (62.6%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
AFL-CIO: 98%
Americans for Democratic Action: 95%
US Chamber of Commerce: 17%
American Conservative Union: 3%
Position on minimum wage increase: Historically, the minimum wage has not kept pace with the cost of living. You believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted so that the real purchasing power of the minimum wage can equal the purchasing power of the minimum wage in its peak in the year 1968; thus the minimum wage should be raised to $8.50 per hour. To maintain the purchasing power of the minimum wage, you further believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted annually by the same percentage increase as the Consumer Price Index.
Committee on Education and the Workforce – Role: DD-6
| Democrat, PA | Years Served in U.S. House: 8 years |
District Description: You represent a district which is an enclave for unionized steel workers. Election after election, the steel workers back you because you’ve represented their interests.
Total PAC Contributions: $184,475 (40.0%)
Breakdown by PAC:
Business Contributions: $56,000 (30.3%)
Labor Contributions: $123,325 (66.7%)
Ratings of Lifetime Voting Record:
Position on minimum wage increase: Historically, the minimum wage has not kept pace with the cost of living. You believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted so that the real purchasing power of the minimum wage can equal the purchasing power of the minimum wage in its peak in the year 1968; thus the minimum wage should be raised to $8.50 per hour. To maintain the purchasing power of the minimum wage, you further believe that the minimum wage should be adjusted annually by the same percentage increase as the Consumer Price Index.AFL-CIO: 100%
Americans for Democratic Action: 95%
US Chamber of Commerce: 31%
American Conservative Union: 9%
