SENATE
SIMULATION TOPICS 2017
Directions: Gather information for the bill topic you chose in class. Rad the main title article (background) anda pro and con article. For the a pro article, and a con articles you will highlight and take notes in the margins and also make a key points (summary sheet for each on a separate piece of paper which you will later turn in. Later, you will take note on how the state that you represent stands on the issues (if you don’t understand now we will get to this later.)
1.) Repeal Obamacare
The Affordable Care Act, the sweeping legislation with the initial goal of insuring millions who can’t afford healthcare insurance has opening with a fizzle. The website rollout crucial in signing up enough people so that it essentially lower the costs of others has been costly ($600 million) and is still up to par. Also, the promise to allow individuals to keep their current health insurance plan is not holding up for many as health care insurers are dropping many people’s plans because the plan doesn’t meet up to Obamacare’s standards. Finally, the promise to reduce health care costs has not come to fruition as reported by 60 Minutes. With the majority of the public now against Obamacare with all of the major problems, is it time to delay it or repeal it outright? Pro ProII Pro III Con I Con II ConIII
Pro Pro and Cons Pros and Cons II Clearing Myths Con Site Showing How Each State Views Obamacare Pro Pro II Pro III Con I Con II ConIII
2.) Abortion
Should there be a federal mandate requiring women who want an abortion to have a 24-hour waiting period, doctor notification? Also to consider, should the federal government ban all abortions at 22-18 weeks of a pregnancy? How each state stands on abortion. Charts with restrictions by weeks and states. Pro/Con site Another Pro/Con site with commentary
3.) Gun Control II : Should congress pass gun control and safety measures presented by President Obama? After the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, many Americans have focused on current gun laws and whether they provide adequate protection against gun violence. President Obama appointed a task force headed by Vice President Joe Biden to come up with recommendations. Considering the task force's recommendations, President Obama proposed new actions by Congress and through executive order. Other Americans, supported by the NRA, are opposed to new gun control/safety legislation, emphasizing mental health issues and violent entertainment as the key areas for focus to reduce gun violence. How each state stands on Gun Control. Background Stats.Facts Pro I II Good PRO/CON Page Con I II Pew Research on Gun Control
4.) Immigration Reform (Syrian Refugee): What should Congress do with Obama’s sweeping Immigration reform executive order now that it has been stayed by the federal courts. ? If they take on making new legislation, what would it look like? With over 11 million immigrants in the United States illegally, the issue of illegal immigration continues to divide Americans. Some people say that illegal immigration benefits the US economy through additional tax revenue, expansion of the low-cost labor pool, and increased money in circulation. Opponents of illegal immigration say that people who break the law by crossing the US border without proper documentation or by overstaying their visas should be deported and not rewarded with a path to citizenship and access to social services. Here are some notes on a 2013 bill passed by the senate and the president’s proclamation. How each state stands on immigration. Most recently, the fear of refugees coming from Syria with ties to Isis or other extremist groups have caused much concern especially in light of the Paris terrorist attack in which terrorists most likely from ISIS posed as refugees. Here is what the White House said after the attack regarding immigration. Some states are trying to ban Syrian refugees from entering their states. A current presidential candidate proposed that non-American Muslims should be banned from the U.S. See how each state views this aspect. Regarding immigration and terrorism: Pro I Pro II Con I Con II
The United States has one of the highest corporate taxers in the world. Some experts believe this is why the U.S. corporations have a hard time competing against foreign companies. There has been a growing trend of companies moving their headquarters outside of the U.S. to avoid paying corporate taxes. Other experts have claimed that higher corporate taxes hurts jobs and employment in the U.S. Those who are opposed to lowering corporate taxes claim that many companies have so many loopholes that they don’t pay their fair share of taxes. Experts claim that there are some U.S. companies that have moved outside of the U.S. pay zero corporate taxes. What should be done about this? How each state view corporate taxes (since the poll only has CA just make it 55% Rep approve in Republican States and 45% approve in Dem states)
6.) Electoral College Reform YES I II Kind of Yet again there electoral college ran into a “snag” during the 2016 presidential elections. The popular vote winner (Clinton) won by over 2 million votes lost the electoral college vote. This past year there was strong talk regarding reforming the Electoral College so it represents the people’s voice. Many call for a direct popular vote election. However, the Founding Fathers put in a system for a reason that takes into account many factors such as states’ wants. Should the electoral College be reformed? How Each State stands (remember we made Democrats approve reform 55%-Republicans 45%)