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Circle all the years on the chart where we have had divided government.
Do we have divided government today?
What is the big story this chart tells?
Why do you think that is?
What is one consequence of our frequently divided government?
Why does the fact that the Democrats had 61 senators in 2009* matter?
Explain whether you think divided government is generally a positive or negative thing.
Do you think the next president, regardless of their party, will likely have a divided government?
In the 19th century we were much less likely to have divided government. Why do you think Americans today are willing to have divided government so often?
What would James Madison think about how often we have had divided government in the past 40 or so years?
Now that Donald J. Trump has to deal with A Democratic House of Representatives, how do you think he will change his approach to governing?
When the new Democratic majority House of Representatives is sworn in next January, what are some powers they could use against President Trump?
What does divided government have to do with Federalist #51?
When we have non-divided government (also called party Government or unity government) government spending increases, year over year, by 3.4%. When we have divided government, year over year government spending increases by 1.5%. Explain the reason for this difference.
Contact Nancy Pelosi (likely Speaker of the House) or Donald Trump (likely President) and explain how you would like them to rule during divided government. Share your comments in class or online.
