SMALL GROUP ASSIGNMENT – CONGRESS AND INTEREST GROUPS
Goal: To examine the relationship between the political positions advocated by your elected official and
support from interest groups.

Find a member of Congress who represents your group www.votesmart.org or U.S.
House of Representatives or U.S. Senate – Done in Class


From Project Vote Smart website for your member of Congress choose the “Recent Interest Group Ratings” Section
Find an interest group which has recently ranked your member of Congress with a high percentage and a low
percentage:
o
Judy Chu:
 United Food and Commercial Workers 100%
 United States Chamber of Commerce 19%
o Adam Schiff
 National Education Association 100%
 National Rifle Association 0%
o Grace Napolitano
 American Nurses Association 100%
 Numbers USA (Americans for Better Immigration)0%
o Becerra
 United Food and Commercial Workers Union 100%
 Family Research Council 0%
o Henry Waxman
 American Bar Association 100%
 National Federation of Independent Business 0%
o Diane Feinstein
 EMILY’s List 100%
 American Conservative Union 3%
o Barbara Boxer
 Planned Parenthood 100%
 Heritage Action for America 3%
 Determine your elected official’s background and position on the issues of importance to the
two Interest Groups
o Recommended Sources:
 Websites of members of Congress, Interest Group websites, Open Secrets.org,
ProjectVoteSmart
 How much money has been contributed by the two Interest Groups to the elected official’s
campaign in the two most recent elections?
5 Minute Report - Best Group(s) – Each Member Receives 2 Additional Class Contribution Points for the
Class Day.