NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
A partial government shutdown is underway, and with Congress out this week, many employees of agencies under the Department of Homeland Security will continue working without pay for the foreseeable future. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York is the top Democrat in the House and joined Amna Nawaz to discuss more.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Why have Democrats refused to pass a budget funding the Department of Homeland Security, according to Jeffries?
- How have Republicans responded to Democrats proposals?
- What impact will a shutdown have on the Department of Homeland Security?
- When will funding for some DHS worker salaries run out?
- Who will be immediately impacted by the shutdown of the Department?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- Based on what you know about the Department of Homeland Security, what changes (if any) would you like to see made?
- Why do you think Congress has experienced so many shutdowns and partial shutdowns of government in this current term?
Media literacy: This segment featured leader of House Democrats Hakeem Jeffries. Do you think equal time should have been given to a Republican representative? How do you think Republicans might counter Jeffries' perspective?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Watch the following segment on the funding of the Department of Homeland Security and public opinion. Then discuss the following questions on public opinion based on the graphics under the video —
- Do any of the polls in this segment surprise you? If so, which ones?
- How much do you think Democratic and Republican positions on operations of DHS based on public opinion and polling?
- Do you think the changes that Democratic Congress members are proposing could change public opinion about DHS (see list in final graphic)?
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