What Modern President got the highest % of their bills passed by Congress?

Starters
Written By Jonathan Milner

Brookings

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

  1. According to the data from the visual above what president had the highest average rate of victories on votes in congress?

  2. According to the data from the visual above what president had the lowest average rate of victories on votes in congress?

  3. Based on the data from the visual above, describe the trend in presidents’ % of victories on votes in congress during their term of office.

  4. In 2005 and 2006 about 80% of President George W. Bush’s bills passed Congress. In 2007 and 2008, that number fell to only about only about 40%. Draw a conclusion about the trajectory of Bush’s popularity over that same time period.

  5. In 2009 and 2010 about 90% of President Obama’s bills passed Congress. In 2011 and 2012, only about 55% of his bills passed. Draw a conclusion about the outcome of the 2010 midterm election.

  6. In some years, the rate of a president’s bills passing the Senate is much lower than the rate of bills passing the House. What about the differences in these two chambers explains that difference?

  7. Imagine you were a president who could not get bills passed through the congress. What other methods could a president use to enact their favored policy?

  8. What methods can a president use to try to influence congress to pass bills he favors?

  9. If you used only the metrics from the visual above to rank the best president since 1953, explain your choice for best president.

  10. Given his current 36% approval rating, what percent of bills do you imagine President Trump will get passed in the current congress?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

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Get Creative

Rank the Presidents from the visual above in terms of getting stuff done. Give each president a nickname corresponding to their effectiveness. For example: Flailing Ford, or Bill-Bully-Kennedy!

Learning Extension*

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Glossary

Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
Next

How has Black representation in Congress changed over time?