Objective:
Select a piece of major legislation and conduct a comprehensive analysis of its background, passage, and subsequent impact. Your paper should delve into the intricacies of the legislative process, public opinion, and the effects of the legislation. Your paper should be 10 – 15 pages in length (Times New Roman, 12-pt font, double spaced). Please be sure to cite your sources and include a works cited page (does not count towards the page count). Any citation style is fine so long as you use in text citations (ie. (Author, Date)).
Areas to Consider:
1    Introduction
a    Provide a brief overview of the chosen legislation.
b    Clearly state the thesis or main argument of your analysis.
2    Legislative Background
a    Explore the motivations behind the legislation. Consider historical, social, economic, or political factors.
b    Delve into the origin and development of the bill. Include any relevant events or precedents that influenced the bill.
3    Public Opinion
a    Analyze how the public felt about the issue at hand before and during the legislative process.
b    Examine public opinion regarding the bill as it was being debated and refined. Include polls, editorials, and other indicators of public sentiment.
4    Congressional Action
a    Identify and discuss the roles of key Congress members who spearheaded the legislation and why. Include information on cosponsors and highlight if the effort was bipartisan and why.
b    Describe the level of involvement from the president or executive branch during the legislative process.
c    Detail the committees involved in shaping the bill, including any significant amendments, debates, or hearings.
d    Provide the results of the final vote, noting any notable patterns or divisions within Congress or notable voting decisions.
5    Outcomes and Analysis
a    Discuss the immediate and long-term outcomes of the legislation.
b    Analyze the effectiveness and impact of the law on society, the economy, or other relevant areas.
Grading Criteria:
A strong paper will demonstrate a thorough understanding of the legislation’s background, development, and impact. It will utilize a wide range of in class and outside sources, including academic journals, reputable news outlets, and official government documents. It will be clearly organized and present information in a logical sequence with clear connections between sections and topics. It will employ clear, concise language with correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Major legislation to consider:
The following link contains a list of all major legislation passed through the 115th Congress: https://proquest.libguides.com/congressionalhelp/leg#s-lg-box-wrapper-22689435 (https://proquest.libguides.com/congressionalhelp/leg#s-lg-box-wrapper-22689435)
For more recent Congresses, Wikipedia offers a solid list of major legislation passed each Congress.

Related posts: