research

=**Part I: The Research Phase** = The purpose of this phase of our Model Congress is to help you understand the process members of the U.S. Congress follow when drafting legislation. An emphasis will be placed on proposing innovative solutions to national issues.

**Step 1: Brainstorming Possible Topics** Sit with members of your political party. Then brainstorm some answers to the following questions:


 * What issues are important to my constituents–locally, regionally, and nationally? If you need some help here, check out the [|Democratic Party web site], the[|Republican Party web site] and the web sites for members of the [|House of Representatives] or the [|Senate] from the states you have chosen.
 * Which of these issues are the highest priorities for your constituents? Your party?
 * What solution will help the most people?
 * What other criteria do you think are important to consider?

**Step 2: Researching** Download the Research Guide here. 

These are our guidelines for drafting legislation: 1.) **Identify a NATIONAL issue**: adding a bridge to a city in your state or district may not get the support of your colleagues in Congress. 2.) **Research your legislation**: what’s the background of your issue? How do Republicans approach this issue? How do Democrats approach this issue? Are you suggesting legislation that already exists? 3.) **Remember the Constitution**: you cannot pass a law that conflicts with the Constitution. 4.) **Measure the cost of your legislation**: <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">To draft a bill which meet these guidelines, you need to do some research. Using the available resources (and there are LOTS and LOTS of available resources), you will answer the following questions to the best of your ability. Remember to keep track of all your sources and to paraphrase---NO COPYING and PASTING—any and all information. <span style="font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**Section 1: Background** <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1.) What is the history of your issue?

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2.) When did this issue gain national attention?

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3.) Have there been current events which are affecting this issue?

<span style="font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**Section 2: Political Party Research** <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In drafting your legislation, it’s important to consider political ideology. If you are a Republican in our Model Congress, your goal is to draft a bill that is consistent with the Republican Party platform and ideology. You also need to know something about your opposition.

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1.) How does the Republican Party stand on your issue?

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2.) How does the Democratic Party stand on your issue? <span style="font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**Section 3: Current Legislation**

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1.) Use the THOMAS web site or OpenCongress to identify two recent bills on your issue. For each bill record the **title,** the **sponsors**, and the **purpose** of the bill.

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Bill 1:

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Bill 2: <span style="font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**Section 4: The Constitution**

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1.) Are there Supreme Court cases which relate to your issue? If so, record the case, the constitutional question, and the Supreme Court’s decision. <span style="font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**Section 5: Current Programs & Other Proposals** <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1.) What is the federal government currently doing to address your issue? Take a look at the appropriate Cabinet department to find out about existing programs/policies.

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2.) Locate at least ONE interest group concerned with your issue.