Ideas for Teachers for November 2022 Issues

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Student Loan Debt

STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS in the United States owe a collective nearly $1.75 trillion in federal and private student loan debt as of August 2022, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Congress.gov: H.R.8729 “Debt Cancellation Accountability Act of 2022”
Congress.gov: S.4483 “Debt Cancellation Accountability Act of 2022”
whitehouse.gov: “President Biden Announces Student Loan Relief 4 Borrowers”
GOP House.gov: “Biden’s Student Loan Giveaway to the Wealthy”
GOP House.gov: “CBO: Biden’s Biggest Executive Actions Come with Price Tag”
Wall Street Journal: “Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan to Cancel Debt”
Associated Press: “GOP states sue Biden administration over student loan plan”

Issue 2: Puerto Rico Statehood
Congress.gov: H.R.8393 “Puerto Rico Status Act”
House.gov: “Chair Grijalva Introduces Historic Puerto Rico Status Act”
LatinoRebels.com: “Puerto Rico Status Act Stalls in House, ‘Outside Interests’”
House.gov: “Rep. García’s Statement on His Vote on the Puerto Rico Status Act”
PuertoRicoReport.com: “Supporters Rally for the Puerto Rico Status Act”
CRS: “Statehood Process + Political Status of U.S. Territories”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Student Loan Debt

  1. Should any student debt be canceled? If so, who is “deserving” of cancellation, and on what timeline?
  2. If all future students were provided with a pathway to a debt-free public college going forward, does that make student debt cancellation more or less reasonable?
  3. Why is the question over forgiving federal student loan debt so controversial?
  4. How have the opportunities in the job market for someone with a degree changed in the last 10 to 50 years?
  5. Is it important to have a significant number of young people attend college, including young people that are going to require loans to afford college?

Issue 2: Puerto Rico Statehood

  1. Do you support or oppose H.R.8393? If you were speaking to a person who disagreed with you, what would you say is the strongest argument in support of your position?
  2. Should Puerto Rico be granted statehood? Why or why not?
  3. What other policies could mitigate the problems seen by proponents of statehood? Explain your answer(s).
  4. Should any or all of the other U.S. territories be granted statehood? Why or why not?
  5. What other measures might be considered, if any, to resolve Puerto Ricans’ lack of representation in Congress, citizenship, and other concerns?

Ideas for Teachers for October 2022 Issues

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Methane Emissions
Regulations.gov: “EPA’s Proposed Rule on Emissions Guidelines”
Congressional Research Service: “IRA Methane Emissions Charge Brief”
Competitive Enterprise Institute: “Biden Methane Rule Would Cause Decline”
Washington Post: “Biden Unveils New Rules to Curb Methane”
The National Law Review: “EPA Proposes New Methane Regulations”
RMI.org: “Methane: A Threat to People and the Planet”

Issue 2: For the People Act
Congress.gov: H.R.1 – “For the People Act of 2021”
Conservative Action Project: “Conservatives Oppose H.R.1, Fantasy of the Left”
Brennan Center for Justice: “Congress Must Pass the ‘For the People Act’”
Roll Call: “10 Things You Might Not Know about H.R.1”
Heritage Foundation: “H.R.1 Is a Threat to American Democracy”
Fox News: “H.R.1 Imperils Free and Fair Elections, Here Are the Worst Parts”
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) OpEd: “Why I’m Against the For the People Act”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Methane Emissions

  1. Where do you stand on whether the U.S. government, and specifically the Environmental Protection Agency, should be doing about global warming and climate change?
  2. Why are methane emissions from transportation a problem? Do you have any suggestions for how methane emissions can be reduced?
  3. What alternative sources of fuel or other means of transport are available, which would reduce emissions?
  4. How does the distance from your school effect your emissions? How did your grandparents travel to school? How do you think your grandchildren will travel to school?
  5. Do you think recent changes in climate and weather are more attributed to natural or human causes? Explain your reasons.

Issue 2: For the People Act
1. Do you support or oppose H.R.1? If you were speaking to a person who disagreed with you, what would you say is the strongest argument in support of your position?
2. Does H.R.1 represent federal government overreach into territory best left to the states? Why or why not?
3. Are the bill’s ethics provisions necessary? Why or why not?
4. Are H.R.1’s improvements in access to elections, through ease of registration, early voting, and more accurate voter rolls, necessary? Why or why not?
5. Do the disclosure provisions around political ads and political spending represent a threat to free speech, or a needed opening to identify who is influencing our democracy?

Research Links and Discussion Questions for September 2022 Issues

RESEARCH LINKS

The U.S. Supreme Court as composed October 27, 2020, to June 30, 2022. (Front row, L to R) Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., Stephen G. Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor. (Back row, L to R) Brett M. Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan, Neil M. Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett.

Issue 1: Protecting Our Kids Act

Congress.gov: H.R.7910 “Protecting Our Kids Act”
Congressional Budget Office: “Estimated Budgetary Effects of Protecting Our Kids Act”
RAND Corporation: “Gun Policy in America — Effects of Minimum Age Requirements”
Pew Trusts: “Few States Seem Ready to Raise Age to Buy Semi-Automatic Rifles”
The Hill: “House Passes Sweeping Gun Package in Largely Party-Line Vote”
Fox News: “House Votes to Set Minimum Age for Buying Semi-automatic Weapons”

Issue 2: Judiciary Act
Congress.gov: S.1141 “Judiciary Act of 2021”
Sen. Roy Blunt Op-Ed: “Don’t Pack SCOTUS, Truth Behind Democrats’ Push for Reform”
Rutgers University: “What Is Court Packing?”
Reason.com: “House Democrats Revive Their Court-Packing Push”
Supremecourt.gov: “The Court as an Institution”
Pacific Legal Foundation: “Court Packing Explained”
Democracy Journal: “Let’s Think About Court Packing”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Protecting Our Kids Act
1. If passed, would the Protecting Our Kids Act would be effective at reducing gun violence and mass shootings in the U.S.? Why or why not?
2. Do you think raising the age from 18 to 21 to purchase semiautomatic weapons would reduce school shootings? Why or why not?
3. Looking at the pro/con quotes made by members of Congress on p. 3 of the newsletter, what do their statements tell you about the bill?
4. Search for #ProtectingOurKidsAct on Twitter and/or other social media sites. How do others’ perspectives help you understand the bill?
5. In Japan there are strict gun control laws and so there is very little gun crime. Should all countries follow Japan to lower gun crime?

Issue 2: Judiciary Act
1. Should packing the Supreme Court ever be considered? Why or why not?
2. Does the current method of waiting until a Justice retires or dies and allowing the current president to appoint a new justice work? Why or why not?
3. If you could wave a magic wand, what would the ideal Supreme Court look like? Consider how many justices, the nomination and approval process, term limits, and other ideas. Support your opinions and argue why this court would be the best.
4. What are the steps in the nomination process for Supreme Court Justices? What constitutional actors are involved?
5. What qualities should a Supreme Court justice have? How much does a candidate’s political ideology influence a presidential nomination today?

Research Links and Discussion Questions for May 2022 Topics

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Energy Independence

Congress.gov: H.R.6858 “American Energy Independence from Russia Act”
Congress.gov: S.3752 “American Energy Independence from Russia Act”
Politico: “Republicans Seize on Ukraine to Attack Biden’s Climate Policies”
NBC News: “Republicans Cheer Russian Oil Ban, Jeer Biden for Rising Prices”
League of Conservation Voters: “Clean Energy Is Key to Energy Independence”
Center for American Progress: “U.S. Can’t Drill Its Way to Energy Independence”

Issue 2: CROWN Act
Congress.gov: H.R.2116 “Creating Respectful and Open World Natural Hair Act”
NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund: “Natural Hair Discrimination”
NPR: “House passes CROWN Act banning discrimination on race-based hairdos”
American Bar Association: “Is Hair Discrimination Race Discrimination?”
thecrownact.com: “Official Campaign of CROWN Act Led by CROWN Coalition”
Washington Post: “House Passes Crown Act, Banning Discrimination Black Hair”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Energy Independence
1. Why would a country want to achieve energy independence? What are the benefits?
2. Which approach should be at the heart of U.S. national energy policy—increasing energy production domestically or shifting the emphasis to renewable energy resources such as wind and solar? Outline the reasons for your answer.
3. What should the United States do about climate change? Should it adopt strong policies to reduce the use of fossil fuels? Or should it encourage more research and hold off on adopting strict requirements for now? Why?
4. Will rising U.S. oil and gas production change U.S. relationships with major oil- and gas-producing countries, and if so, how?
5. Would a shift to renewable energy or electric vehicles introduce new security vulnerabilities? Why or why not?

Issue 2: CROWN Act
1. How has European imperialism and colonialism influenced global beauty standards over time? Are those standards now changing?An elegantly dressed Black businesswoman wears braided hair.
2. What kind of hair did you want as a child? What kind of hair do you want now? Has that changed?
3. Actress Tracie Thoms says, “It’s amazing that it is considered revolutionary to wear my hair the way it grows out of my head.” She describes natural hair as “freedom.” Do you think that not wearing make-up or not shaving is similarly “revolutionary” or “freeing?” Why or why not?
4. Does a person’s hair or hairstyle impact their personal brand, career advancement and/or job performance? Why or why not?
5. How does societal acceptance of a person’s natural hair texture affect their identity and self-esteem?

Research Links and Discussion Questions for April 2022 Topics

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Border Wall

On 06-19-1019 construction crews continue work on the replacement border wall on the boundary between the United States and Mexico near the Calexico Port of Entry.
Photo by Mani Albrecht
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Office of Public Affairs
Visual Communications Division

Congress.gov: H.R.5810 “To Authorize Transfer of Materials for Border Wall”
Dallas Morning News OpEd: “The Border Wall—A Barricade or a Safeguard?”
ThoughtCo.com: “Weighing the Pros and Cons of U.S.-Mexico Border Barrier”
Fox News: “Governor Abbott Announces Details on Texas Border Wall”
govtrackinsider.com: “Bill would give states materials to resume border wall”
ProCon.org: “Should the U.S. Build a Wall along the U.S./Mexico Border?”

Issue 2: Daylight Saving Time
Congress.gov: S.623 “Sunshine Protection Act of 2021”
National Conference of State Legislatures: “DST State Legislation”
Politico: “Here Comes the Sun: Senate Agrees on Permanent Daylight Saving”
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine: “American Academy of Sleep Medicine”
Smithsonian: “What Happened the Last Time U.S. Made DST Permanent?”
BuzzFeedNews: “Everyone Was Surprised by Senate Passing Permanent DST

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Border Wall

  1. Do you think the current approach to U.S. border security is effective? What ideas do you have to make it more effective?
  2. Do you think all, some or no national borders around the world should have walls or fences separating countries? Why?
  3. What differences do you discern between the two border crossings with Mexico and Canada?
  4. Do you think that the border wall has become a political symbol for its supporters and opponents? Why or why not?
  5. What might a wall represent psychologically? For instance, might it symbolize safety or preserve a way of life?

Issue 2: Daylight Saving Time

  1. Should the United States make Daylight Saving Time permanent year round? Why or why not?
  2. Do you feel the effects of springing forward and/or falling back? What are the effects and how do they impact your day?
  3. Now that you’ve read the arguments for permanent Daylight Saving Time, visit https://savestandardtime.com/ and read the arguments for permanent Standard Time. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each proposal? Which time system do you think is best for the U.S. and why?
  4. Why do you think some places like Hawaii and most of Arizona opt out of Daylight Saving Time?
  5. Compare and contrast the economic benefits and disadvantages of Daylight Saving Time. Is DST good or bad for the economy overall? Explain your answer.

Research Links and Discussion Questions for March 2022 Topics

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: 32-Hour Workweek

Congress.gov: H.R.4728 “Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act”
The Guardian OpEd: “A 4 Day Work Week Is the Future. Here’s Why.”
The Hill: “Lawmakers lining up behind bill to bring four-day work week to America”
Forbes: “Is Thursday the New Friday? Pros and Cons of Reducing Work Hours”
The Atlantic: “What It Means That Kickstarter Is Trying a 4-Day Work Week”
govtrack.us: “H.R. 4728: Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act”

Issue 2: America COMPETES Act

Congress.gov: H.R.4521 “America COMPETES Act of 2022”
Congress.gov: S.1260 “United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021”
House.gov: “America COMPETES Act of 2022” Backgrounder
The Hill: “House Republicans Bash Democrats’ China Competition Bill”
cnbc.com: “Senate Passes Bipartisan Tech and Manufacturing Bill Aimed at China”
Fox Business: “Democrats’ China competition bill hurts American small businesses”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: 32-Hour Workweek

  1. How do you think having a shorter workweek will affect workers’ productivity? Will it rise, fall or remain the same? Why?
  2. How might a shorter workweek be good for the environment?
  3. In Japan, Microsoft trialed a four-day workweek and saw improvements in workers’ productivity and job satisfaction. Do you think this would work in the U.S.? Why or why not?
  4. Is a four-day workweek suitable for every company? Why or why not?
  5. How did the COVID pandemic change American workers’ expectations about work/life balance?
  6. How might spending less time working result in greater workforce focus and productivity?

Issue 2: America COMPETES Act

1. Read the summaries for both the House and Senate China competition bills (links above). Which bill do you think offers the best solution to the problem?
2. What do you think is the best solution to China’s theft of U.S. intellectual property?
3. Should the U.S. attempt to have a “less confrontational” relationship with China? Why or why not?
4. Should the U.S. view China as a threat or opportunity? Why?
5. Do you think China will surpass the U.S. as the world’s superpower? Why or why not?

Research Links and Discussion Questions for February 2022 Topics

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Free College Tuition
Congress.gov: S.1288 “College for All Act of 2021”
Heritage Foundation OpEd: “The High Cost of Free College Tuition”
Peter G. Peterson Foundation: “What Is Free College and How Much Cost?”
Cato Institute: “Free College Will Hike Costs for Taxpayers”
Roll Call: “Proposed Education Spending Hike Faces Resistance in Senate
Philadelphia Inquirer: “Should Public College Be Free? Pro Con”
Issue 2: Free Child Care
Congress.gov: H.R.5376 “Build Back Better Act”
Kaiser Family Foundation: “Women, Work and Family During COVID Survey”
First Five Years Fund: “Child Care System Is Not Meeting the Needs of Families”
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “Economic Impact of Childcare Breakdown”
Politico: “A Lack of Child Care Is Keeping Women on Unemployment Rolls”
Center for Law and Social Policy: “Things to Know about Child Care and BBB”


DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Free College Tuition
  1. Are you for or against U.S. taxpayers funding free college tuition? Why?
  2. Would implementing taxpayer-funded college tuition make it too easy for colleges to raise costs, knowing the government will pay for them? Why or why not?
  3. Should there be a cap on tuition that would be considered “free?” How should incidental costs be covered? How would existing student financial aid programs be affected?
  4. Would tuition-free public college expand access to education for American families, or restrict it? Why?
  5. Providing government-funded college tuition would no doubt increase the number of students who register at community colleges. Would this encourage or discourage innovation among those institutions?
Issue 2: Free Child Care
  1. Should the government subsidize the cost of childcare for all families? Why or why not?
  2. Should child care be left to individual families or is it a societal issue? Justify and defend your position using reasoning and logic.
  3. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said, “It’s impossible to have a strong economy when it’s too expensive to work because of child care.” Do you agree with her statement? Why or why not?
  4. How is the issue of making child care affordable tied to gender equality?
  5. Would providing taxpayer-funded child care to poor, disadvantaged and low-skilled households level the playing field for these populations? Why or why not?

Research Links and Discussion Questions for December 2021 Topics

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Methane Emissions
EPA’s Proposed Ruling on Methane Emissions https://bit.ly/3kMy9DD
WaPo: “Biden Unveils New Rules to Curb Methane” https://wapo.st/3oAUWDy
The National Law Review: “EPA Proposes New Methane Regulations for Gas” https://bit.ly/2YTxzfC
Yahoo: “Biden Announces Sweeping Methane Plan” https://yhoo.it/2YYBtUG
RMI.org: “Methane: A Threat to People and the Planet” https://bit.ly/3cmNYMQ
Forbes: “Biden Promises Moves on Methane, Businesses Poised for Growth” https://bit.ly/2YSWhN8

Issue 2: Civil Asset Forfeiture
Congress.gov: “Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Act of 2021” (H.R.2857) https://bit.ly/30yiAbj
Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI): “Civil Asset Forfeiture” https://bit.ly/3qGiREm
The Bulwark: “Maine Bans Civil Asset Forfeiture” https://bit.ly/3kN1yxI
Institute for Justice: “Civil Forfeiture Reforms on the State Level” https://bit.ly/3DrxO0C
endforfeiture.com: “IJ’s Initiative to End Policing for Profit” https://endforfeiture.com/
Institute for Justice: “Policing for Profit (2nd Edition)” https://bit.ly/3Hp9EGt

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Methane Emissions
1. What are some of the things we could change in the way we live and work to help decrease the amount of greenhouse gases such as methane we emit into the atmosphere? What would we, as individuals, be willing to give up, to help this process?
2. Making changes usually means someone pays, in some way. Is this true of global warming? How do we as individuals pay now? And how does industry pay? What or who should take most of the financial responsibility?
3. Which is more of a problem for global warming—population growth or industrial growth? Or is it a matter of how industry operates and grows?
4. What impact will rising greenhouse gases have on the climate?
5. What are the main threats of climate change?

Issue 2: Civil Asset Forfeiture

  1. How should law enforcement agencies balance their mission to fight crime while respecting the rights of the suspected and the accused?
  2. Should civil asset forfeiture be expanded as law enforcement tool, or should it be abolished?
  3. Are there ways to reform the system to ensure that only the guilty feel the effects of forfeiture?
  4. Do you think it is justified to take money or property from people accused of committing a crime, but have not been convicted by a judge or jury of doing so? Explain your answer.
  5. What is your perspective? Is asset forfeiture practiced responsibly, or is it in need of reform? Why do you take your position?

Research Links and Discussion Questions for May 2021 Topics

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Vaccine Passports

WhiteHouse.gov: “Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team”
NPR.org: “Florida Governor DeSantis Rejects Vaccine Passports”
Bloomberg.com: “A Vaccine Passport Is the New Golden Ticket”
BuzzFeedNews.com: “You Probably Already Have a Vaccine Passport”
ABCNews.go.com: “Texas Governor Bans Mandated Vaccine Passports”
CNN.com: “What Are Vaccine Passports and How Do They Work?”

Issue 2: Dream Act
Congress.gov: H.R.6 American Dream and Promise Act 
WhiteHouse.gov: “Statement by President Biden American Dream Promise Act”
The Heritage Foundation: “The American Dream and Promise Act of 2021”
ImmigrationForum.org: “Bill Summary: American Dream and Promise Act”
TheHill.com: “Tim Cook Calls on Congress to Pass American Dream Promise Act”
BusinessInsider.com: “House Passes the American Dream and Promise Act”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Vaccine Passports

  1. Do you support or oppose vaccine passports? If you were speaking to a person who disagreed, what is the strongest argument in support of your position?
  2. Does requiring a vaccine passport represent government overreach? Why or why not?
  3. Privacy advocates warn that vaccine passports are intrusive. Do you agree? Why or why not?
  4. What civil liberties do vaccine passports potentially threaten?
  5. What are some of the reasons Republican governors oppose vaccine passports? Do you agree or disagree with them? Why?

Issue 2: Dream Act

  1. What do you think the U.S. government should do to address the legal status of undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children?
  2. Who are the Dreamers? What requirements must they meet to be eligible for citizenship under the Dream Act?
  3. What is the most compelling argument to pass the Dream Act? What is the most convincing reason not to?
  4. Should the president have the power to enact a program like DACA if Congress refuses to pass the Dream Act? Why or why not?
  5. What solutions might students offer legislators when considering the futures of young people brought to the country as children?

Research Links and Discussion Questions for April 2021 Topics

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: H.R.1/Election Reform
Congress.gov: H.R.1 – “For the People Act of 2021” 
Conservative Action Project: “Conservatives Oppose H.R.1, Fantasy of the Left”
Brennan Center for Justice: “Congress Must Pass the ‘For the People Act’”
Roll Call: “10 Things You Might Not Know about HR 1”
Heritage Foundation: “H.R.1 Is a Threat to American Democracy”
Fox News: “H.R.1 Imperils Free and Fair Elections, Here Are the Worst Parts”

Issue 2: D.C. Statehood
Congress.gov: H.R.51 – “Washington, D.C. Admission Act”
Cato Institute: “D.C. Statehood Is a Fool’s Errand”
League of Women Voters: “D.C. Statehood Tool Kit”
Heritage Foundation: “D.C. Statehood Bill Is Constitutionally Dubious, Flawed” 
Rep. Norton: “The Fight for D.C. Statehood”
51 for 51 Website: “Issues”

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: H.R.1/Election Reform

  1. Do you support or oppose H.R.1? If you were speaking to a person who disagreed, what is the strongest argument in support of your position?
  2. Does H.R.1 represent government overreach? Why or why not?
  3. Are the bill’s ethics provisions necessary? Why or why not?
  4. Are H.R.1’s improvements in access to elections, through ease of registration, early voting, and more accurate voter rolls, necessary? Why or why not?
  5. Do the disclosure provisions around political ads and political spending represent a threat to free speech, or a needed opening to identify who is influencing our democracy?

Issue 2: D.C. Statehood

  1. What are some of the reasons that Republicans oppose making D.C. a state?
  2. Why do you think the framers of the U.S. Constitution decided that the nation’s capital should not be located in any state?
  3. What rights are people in D.C. denied that other Americans enjoy?
  4. Why did it require a constitutional amendment to give people in D.C. the right to vote for President?
  5. Democrats are for D.C. statehood, but Republicans are against it. What might account for such differing views on this issue?

Research Links and Discussion Questions for March 2021 Topics

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Minimum Wage
Congress.gov: H.R.603, “Raise the Wage Act of 2021”                https://bit.ly/3rJJwgC
U.S. Department of Labor: “Minimum Wage”                        https://bit.ly/3rVLUkP
Congressional Budget Office: “Budgetary Effects Raise the Wage Act of 2021”    https://bit.ly/371TmCA
National Congress of State Legislatures: “State Minimum Wages”            https://bit.ly/3p6PVAN
UC Berkeley Labor Center: “The Public Cost of a Low Federal Minimum Wage”    https://bit.ly/2MOQ1QK
raisetheminimumwage.com: “Raise the Minimum Wage News”            https://bit.ly/3pfBdaF

Issue 2: Keystone XL Pipeline
White House: “Executive Order Protecting Public Health and Environment”    https://bit.ly/3qfqTAX
National Resources Defense Council: “What is Keystone Pipeline?”        https://on.nrdc.org/3acrOg6
TC Energy: “Keystone XL” (from the company that owns the pipeline)        https://www.keystonexl.com
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Energy Institute: “Background Keystone XL”    https://bit.ly/2ZaixOY
The Guardian: “Biden Can Be Our Climate President by Ending Pipeline Projects”    https://bit.ly/3tMnGLt
Fox News: “Manchin Pens Letter Asking Biden to Reverse Pipeline Termination”    https://fxn.ws/3tHtjdI

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Minimum Wage

  1. Do you support or oppose raising the minimum wage? If you were speaking to a person who disagreed, what is the strongest argument in support of your position?
  2. If you were a business owner, would you want the minimum wage to increase? Why or why not?
  3. What are two arguments against raising the minimum wage? What are two arguments in favor of raising the minimum wage?
  4. How is a minimum-wage worker’s life changed as a result of lifting the minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour?
  5. Places like New York, Oakland, San Francisco and Seattle have raised the minimum wage in their cities. Why do you think these places have raised their municipal minimum wage?

Issue 2: Keystone XL Pipeline

  1. What are some potential benefits of the pipeline? How about potential drawbacks?
  2. In what ways does the decision we make today about the Keystone XL Pipeline affect people in the future?
  3. The Biden administration cancelled construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, but the Trump administration supported it. What might account for such differing views on construction of the pipeline?
  4. What are some of the reasons that environmentalists oppose the Keystone XL pipeline expansion?
  5. Do you think that addressing climate change is an issue that should be prioritized over creating jobs? Are these options mutually exclusive?

Research Links and Discussion Questions for February 2021 Topics

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Paris Climate Agreement
White House: “Statement by President Trump on the Paris Climate Accord” (6/2017)    
Biden Campaign Site: “Biden’s Clean Energy Plan” 
United Nations Foundation: “7 Reasons U.S. Needs the Paris Climate Agreement”
Climate Action Tracker  
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions: “Paris Climate Agreement Q&A”
Fox News OpEd: “Biden wants to rejoin the Paris Accord. Why? It puts America last.”

Issue 2: Dream Act
Congress.gov: “H.R. 6: American Dream and Promise Act of 2019”
Daily Caller OpEd: “Why I Oppose the Dream Act” 
Chicago Tribune Column: “Dreamers are still waiting for their nightmare to end” 
Press Democrat OpEd: “A New Year’s Resolution for Congress – Pass the Dream Act” 
Business Standard: “Google Backs Biden’s Immigration Efforts”
Between the Lines OpEd: “Immigration Reform Under Biden to Face Challenges” 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Paris Climate Agreement

  1. What is your position on climate change? Do you think it is caused by human activity or not? Outline your arguments and defend your position.
  2. Compare and contrast the pro/con congressional quotes on p. 3 of the newsletter. Whose opinion do you agree with the most, and why?
  3. Do you support the U.S. rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement? Why or why not?
  4. According to studies, disputes over the key scientific facts of global warming are more prevalent in the U.S. than globally. Why do you think this is so?
  5. Read the Fox News OpEd (link above). Do you agree or disagree with the assertions made in the article? Why?

Issue 2: Dream Act

  1. What do you think the U.S. government should do to address the legal status of undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children?
  2. Who are the Dreamers? What requirements must they meet to be eligible for citizenship under the Dream Act?
  3. What is the most compelling argument to pass the Dream Act? What is the most convincing reason not to?
  4. Should the president have the power to enact a program like DACA if Congress refuses to pass the Dream Act? Why or why not?
  5. What solutions might students offer legislators when considering the futures of young people brought to the country as children?