1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with this essential question: To what extent should the government be involved in determining how much people get paid?
2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:
- What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether Congress should raise the federal minimum wage. The issue is timely because lawmakers have repeatedly introduced bills to raise the federal rate, but none have passed both houses of Congress. The fact that 30 states have already raised their minimums above the federal rate indicates widespread desire for higher wages.)
- Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Both authors are members of Congress. As lawmakers, they’re responsible for voting on federal legislation on this issue.)