melissa-owens #2

INSTRUCTIONS: In this activity, you assume the role of a U.S. Representative who has received a memo about the size of the House of Representatives. You will review arguments for and against increasing the size of the House of Representatives, cast your vote and then provide a written explanation of your decision.

INTRODUCTION: To: U.S. Representative Hope Shelly

From: Jacki Julie, legislative aide

Subject: The size of the House of Representatives

The House can decide how big it wishes to be. When it was created, there was one representative for every 30,000 people; now each House member typically represents almost 700,000 people. In most other democracies, each member of parliament represents far fewer people. Doubling the size of the House may be a way of avoiding term limits.

To Consider:

A powerful citizens’ organization has demanded that the House of Representatives be made larger so that voters can feel closer to their members. Each representative now speaks for more than 700,000 Americans—far too many, the group argues, to make it possible for all points of view to be heard.

Arguments for:

1. Doubling the size of the House would reduce the huge demand for constituent services each member now faces.

2. A bigger House would represent more shades of opinion more fairly.

3. Each member could raise less campaign money because his or her campaign would be smaller.

Arguments against:

1. A bigger House would be twice as hard to manage, and it would take even longer to pass legislation.

2. Campaigns in districts of 350,000 people would cost as much as ones in districts with 700,000 people.

3. Interest groups do a better job of representing public opinion than would a House with more members.

Additional Research:

The following links present the arguments for and against a shield law for journalists. Choose at least one link for each side of the argument and make sure to read through the entire text. Once you have enough information, move onto the next part of the activity.

Pro (increase size of House of Representatives):

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/its-time-to-increase-the-size-of-the-house/

https://www.conservativereview.com/articles/is-it-time-to-increase-the-size-of-congress

Con (do not increase size of House of Representatives):

http://www.frumforum.com/a-larger-house-is-a-bad-idea/

https://newrepublic.com/article/80297/it-time-expand-the-house-representatives

Will you support an increase in size of the House of Representatives? Why?