A high-engagement civics mini-project where students research members of the 119th U.S. Congress, distill their biographies and legislative track records into collectible trading cards, and compare members head-to-head.
119TH CONGRESS LEADERSHIP DOSSIER TIER: S (SUPREME CLOUT)
Card #04 • Freshman / Rising Star Edition ✂ Cut along outer border
New Member of Congress 119th Freshman Class
New Member Name
Chamber / Party
Freshman Portrait New Wave
State & District:
Unseated Incumbent?
Grassroots Base:
Breakout Campaign Ad:
Day-One Freshman Mission
Win Margin ____ %
Age / Class Class of '25
Momentum ★ ★ ★ ☆
FOLD HERE
Freshman Policy Blueprint New Agenda
Top 3 Bold Campaign Pledges
First Bill Introduced / Backed: [ Bill # or Topic ]
District Needs Addressed:
Committee Assignment Sought
Target Committee: Status: [ Assigned / Request ]
Victory Night Power Quote
Election Night Address: ____________________
119TH CONGRESS FRESHMAN DOSSIER TIER: ROOKIE CARD
Capitol Cards Mini-Project • Double-Sided Collector Templates Sheet B (Leadership & Freshman) • Page 2 of 2
Draft Justification & Strategic Rationale:
Capitol Cards Mini-Project • Analytical Synthesis Page 2 of 2
3. Verifiable Primary Quote
Features an unedited direct quote with clear citation of date, setting, and political significance.
Capitol Cards Mini-Project • Model Exemplar Sheet Page 1 of 2
Student Exemplar • Benchmark Reference
Model Card: U.S. House Profile
Representative Edition
Finished Foldable Card Sample: Rep. Don Bacon (Nebraska 2nd) Swing District Case Study
U.S. House of Reps Nebraska 2nd (Omaha)
Representative Name
Don Bacon
Party / District
Republican • NE-02
DB
Air Force General
& Strategist Brig. Gen. USAF (Ret.)
Hometown:
Chicago, IL • Resides Papillion, NE
Education:
BA Northern Illinois; MA Phoenix & NWC
Prior Career:
30-yr USAF Commander; Offutt AFB leader
Political Spark:
Concern over defense cuts & Offutt runway repair
Key House Committees & Caucuses
Armed Services (Cyber Subcommittee Chair); Agriculture; Main Street Caucus Co-Chair.
Win Margin +2.6% (2022)
Tenure 8 Yrs (4 Terms)
Swing Index EVEN (R+1)
Policy Record & Votes Dossier Back
Core Campaign Promises
Modernize Offutt Air Force Base & StratCom defense assets.
Protect crop insurance & trade export access for NE farmers.
Maintain pragmatic governance in a split partisan district.
Kerrie Orozco Act (H.R. 2977) Passed Law
Impact: Expedited citizenship process for surviving immigrant spouses of fallen first responders and military service members.
High-Stakes Floor Vote: VOTE: YEA
Bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act: Broke with hardliners to certify clean presidential transitions and protect constitutional norms.
Verbatim Power Quote
"Governing requires coalition-building. If you only talk to people who agree with you 100% of the time, you will never pass a bill that lasts."
House Press Briefing • March 2023
CARD ID: REP-NE-02 COLLECTOR TIER: A (CENTRIST SURVIVOR)
How to Score Level 4 (Exemplary) on Your Cards
• Dig Past Wikipedia Summaries: Use Congress.gov to find a bill the member personally sponsored (not just voted for). Check whether it reached committee, passed, or died.
• Explain District Context: Show why the lawmaker acts the way they do! Mention key industries (agriculture, tech, military) that drive their votes.
Capitol Cards Mini-Project • Model Exemplar Sheet Page 2 of 2
