4.3: Congressional Institutions - Homework
- Page ID
- 231660
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Letter to Congress on DEI Legislation
Write a 400-500 word letter to your representatives and senators (address all three) about a proposed bill of your choice that focuses on DEI issues.
Use this Congress site to identify one piece of proposed legislation that you want to support or oppose:
(click on the llink at the top left of the page and switch it from Members to Legislation; you can also search by topic, if you prefer).
Requirements:
- Use the proper letter writing format - your response needs to look and read like a letter you could mail out.
- Summarize your legislation and refer to it with the official bill title (i.e. HR 723).
- Discuss your position on the bill and your reasoning why Congress should take or withhold action.
- Advocate for the named legislation you've identified and explain why this bill would or would not be a good law.
- Your letter should be persuasive and include statistics and other evidence to support your position.
- Consider mailing it out!
Evaluation Rubric
1. Format & Structure (20 points)
- Professional letter format (10 pts): Includes date, recipient addresses, salutation, closing, and signature block.
- Clarity & organization (10 pts): Logical flow with clear paragraphs (introduction, summary, argument, call to action).
2. Bill Identification & Summary (20 points)
- Accurate bill details (10 pts): Correct bill number (e.g., HR 723/S. 42), official title, and primary sponsor.
- Concise summary (10 pts): Explains the bill’s purpose and key provisions in 2–3 sentences.
3. Position & Argumentation (30 points)
- Clear stance (10 pts): Explicit support/opposition with justified reasoning.
- Evidence-based (15 pts): Uses statistics, studies, or expert testimony (e.g., “CDC data shows racial disparities in…”).
- Rebuttal (5 pts): Addresses counterarguments persuasively.
4. Advocacy & Call to Action (20 points)
- Specific requests (10 pts): Asks for concrete actions (co-sponsor, vote, committee support).
- Persuasive appeal (10 pts): Connects bill to local/constituent impact (e.g., “This affects 1 in 5 families in our district”).
5. Grammar & Style (10 points)
- Professional tone (5 pts): Avoids slang; respectful even if opposing.
- Mechanics (5 pts): No spelling/grammar errors; concise sentences.