About Us
Congress: The Context
SUBJECTS
US Government, US History, Economics
GRADE LEVEL
10-12, College and University History and Political Science courses
OBJECTIVES
1. To introduce students to the process by which a Congress member evaluates a bill.
2. To provide an historical example of how a Congress member decides to vote on a bill.
3. To illustrate by way of historical example how a Congress member justifies a vote.
LESSON PLAN
Context. H.R. 2820, which became the Economy Act of 1933, intended to reduce the federal deficit by eliminating government agencies, cutting the salaries of federal workers (including members of Congress), and reducing benefits paid to veterans.
The documents in this lesson are drawn from the papers of Everett McKinley Dirksen, a Republican representing central Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives. He began the first of his eight terms in the House in March 1933, just as Franklin Roosevelt moved into the White House. H.R. 2820 was introduced just days later, on March 10.
Step 1.Students will read the first two issues of Congressman Dirksen’s newsletter, “The Congressional Front,“ at http://www.dirksencenter.org/guides_emd/Dirksen_Newsletters/index.htm. Select March 18 and March 21 from the table.
Discussion questions: In what ways do the House members that Dirksen describes seem to be diverse? Why does Dirksen say “there has not been a single indication of party politics”? What is Dirksen’s opinion about how procedures in the House have operated in the early weeks of the new administration?
Step 2. Students will use the Internet to understand the “climate of the times” in early 1933 as Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal begins.
Discussion questions: What was the state of the economy? What did Roosevelt promise to do when he took office? What was the partisan composition of Congress? What other bills did Congress pass during the first months of the New Deal?
Step 3. Students will read the text of H.R. 2820, a bill “To maintain the credit of the United States Government.”
Discussion questions: What are the three titles in this bill, and what is the subject of each? How much authority is given to the president to implement the legislation, authority independent of Congress? Based on the handwritten annotations by Dirksen, what does he find objectionable in the bill?
Activity: Write a press release explaining Congressman Dirksen’s stance on H.R. 2820.
Step 4. Students will read Everett Dirksen’s letter to Ralph Warren, March 13, 1933.
Discussion questions: What are the purposes of the letter? How does Dirksen describe the nature of the first New Deal Congress? Why is Roosevelt’s promise to withhold patronage a factor in early legislative action? How would you describe Dirksen’s opinion of how Congress dealt with the Economy Bill? On what basis does Dirksen promise to make his decisions given all the “advice” he is receiving? Does Dirksen accurately summarize H.R. 2820 beginning on page 3 of the letter? What are three reasons why Dirksen opposes the bill?
Activity: Assume that Mr. Warren opposes Dirksen’s stance on the bill and write a reply to Dirksen.
Step 5. Students will consult the vote totals on the bill.
Discussion questions: What is the evidence that the publisher of the vote compilation has an opinion about the bill? What was the partisan breakdown in the vote by your state?
RESOURCES
“The Congressional Front,“ at http://www.dirksencenter.org/guides_emd/Dirksen_Newsletters/index.htm.
CREDIT:
Frank H. Mackaman, The Dirksen Congressional Center
