1. VETERAN CARE CONCERNS

The Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) is facing major disruptions due to budget cuts and a hiring freeze under the Trump administration. These cuts, led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have resulted in the firing of thousands of employees, delays in medical research, and the cancellation of critical contracts that support veterans’ healthcare. Clinical trials for life-saving treatments have been put on hold due to staff shortages, and hospitals are struggling without support staff to schedule appointments, stock medical supplies, and assist patients. Nearly 875 contracts were canceled, affecting essential services like medical equipment maintenance and mental health care. While the V.A. insists that patient care won’t suffer, many fear the cuts will make it harder for veterans to access healthcare. With more reductions expected, the future of veterans’ medical services remains uncertain. Research the V.A.‘s mission and services using its official website or other credible sources. Look into how it supports veterans’ healthcare needs, including hospitals, mental health programs, and rehabilitation services. Next, examine some current challenges the V.A. is facing, such as budget cuts, staffing shortages, and the impact on patient care. Consider how these changes might affect veterans who rely on the V.A. for medical treatment. Once you have gathered information, write a one-page summary explaining the importance of the V.A.’s healthcare system and discussing the potential consequences of budget cuts on veterans’ well-being. Include your opinion on whether the government should increase or decrease funding for the V.A. and suggest one possible solution to improve its services. Would you recommend hiring more staff, increasing funding for mental health programs, or reforming the way resources are allocated?

2. STUDY ABROAD STRUGGLES

Thousands of students who planned to study abroad are now facing financial uncertainty after the Trump administration paused funding for programs like the Fulbright-Hays and Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships. These programs, which have long helped American students study in other countries, have not received their expected funds since mid-February. The State Department, which oversees the programs, has not provided any updates on when or if the funding will resume, leaving many students in difficult situations. One student affected by the freeze is Frida Larios, a senior at California State University, Los Angeles, who traveled to Seoul, South Korea on a Gilman scholarship. She was supposed to receive $3,000 to help with her living expenses but found out shortly after arriving that the funding was on hold indefinitely. As a Pell Grant recipient, she relied on this financial support to afford her trip. Now, she is struggling to cover basic costs, avoiding unnecessary spending and living off ramen to stretch her limited funds. This situation has caused widespread confusion for students and universities alike. Melissa Torres, president of the Forum on Education Abroad, said that families and students keep asking whether their planned trips are still happening, but no one has clear answers. The Trump administration argues that the funding pause is part of a broader effort to cut government spending, particularly on programs it believes are wasteful or ideologically driven. Critics, however, warn that these cuts harm U.S. global influence and prevent students from gaining international experience. With no timeline for when funding might return, students like Larios remain stuck in financial limbo, uncertain about how to continue their studies abroad. Government funding decisions often require choosing between competing priorities, and the recent pause on study-abroad program funding highlights the difficult choices involved. Imagine you are a policy advisor tasked with creating a federal education budget proposal. Your job is to decide how much funding to allocate to various education programs, including study-abroad scholarships, public school funding, college financial aid, vocational training, and student loan assistance. Using a hypothetical budget of $100 billion, determine how you would distribute funds across five major categories: study-abroad programs (such as Fulbright and Gilman), K-12 public school funding (including teacher salaries, school supplies, and technology), higher education financial aid (such as Pell Grants and student loans), vocational and technical education (job training programs, trade schools, and apprenticeships), and educational research and innovation (such as STEM programs, education technology, and special education funding). In a short essay, explain how you allocated the funds and why. Consider which areas you prioritized and the reasoning behind your decisions. Did study-abroad programs receive a significant portion of your budget, or did you focus on other educational needs? Think about the long-term benefits of each program and how your choices could impact students, the economy, and the future workforce. At the end of your response, reflect on how real-life government officials must make tough budget decisions and whether cutting programs like study-abroad scholarships is justifiable in the larger context of federal spending. Would you recommend restoring funding to these programs, or do you believe other areas should take priority? Consider how your choices reflect national values and priorities and how government spending shapes the future of education.

3. ANOTHER NAME CHANGE

Fort Liberty, a major U.S. Army base in North Carolina, has been renamed Fort Bragg once again, fulfilling a campaign promise made by President Donald Trump. The base was originally named after Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general who owned enslaved people and was considered an ineffective military leader. In 2020, Congress voted to remove Confederate names from military bases, leading to Fort Bragg being renamed Fort Liberty in 2023 as part of a larger effort to address racial justice issues. However, Trump and other conservatives opposed the change, arguing that it was an example of “wokeness” weakening the military and erasing American history. Instead of restoring the base’s name to honor the Confederate general, the administration claimed the new Fort Bragg is actually named after Pvt. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II soldier who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. His daughter, Diane Watts, said she had no idea about the renaming until she was contacted by a reporter, but she believed her father was chosen because of his good character. Many critics, however, believe this decision was a political move to undo the previous name change while avoiding direct ties to the Confederacy. This renaming is part of Trump’s broader plan to reshape the military by removing diversity programs, targeting top officers, and reversing past reforms. Army officials at the ceremony insisted that the base was renamed to honor Private Bragg, not the Confederate general. The cost of renaming Fort Bragg twice is expected to be under $1 million, while the full removal of Confederate names across multiple bases originally cost $39 million. Some critics argue that constantly changing military base names wastes money and resources, while others see it as a necessary fight over history and values. The decision to rename military bases is part of a larger discussion about how history should be remembered and what role the government should play in shaping it. Some people believe that keeping the original Confederate names honors military tradition, while others argue that these names glorify leaders who fought against the U.S. and supported slavery. The Trump administration’s decision to rename Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg—but for a different Bragg—shows how history can be rewritten in different ways. Write an opinion article explaining whether military bases named after Confederate figures should keep their original names or be changed. Consider the historical significance of these names and whether they represent heritage or a painful past for many Americans. Think about whether renaming bases is an example of correcting history or erasing it, and whether the government should spend millions of dollars on renaming bases when that money could be used for other priorities. Also, reflect on whether these name changes help bring people together or cause further division. In your article, take a clear stance on the issue and support your argument with historical facts, ethical considerations, and the impact on national identity.

4. THE FUTURE OF FUNDING

President Donald Trump has announced plans to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, saying he wants states to have full control over schools and colleges. He has appointed Linda McMahon as the new Secretary of Education, and her goal is to shut down the department. This would require an act of Congress, making it a complex and difficult process. The Education Department currently plays a major role in funding schools and colleges. It manages $1.5 trillion in student loans, distributes financial aid like Pell Grants, and enforces civil rights protections for students. The department also monitors school policies related to issues like race, gender identity, and student rights. If the department were eliminated, these responsibilities would be transferred to other government agencies or individual states. Trump has already begun cutting education programs. His administration has removed funding from schools and colleges that teach topics like critical race theory and gender identity, while promoting policies like school choice and ending teacher tenure. His administration has also weakened regulations on colleges, allowing more private accrediting agencies to approve schools for federal funding. Critics argue this could lead to lower education standards. While only 14 percent of public school funding comes from the federal government, many colleges and low-income schools rely heavily on federal money. If the Education Department is eliminated, students, teachers, and universities will face major changes, but no clear plan has been presented for handling these responsibilities. Research how education is funded and managed in the U.S. Compare the roles of local, state, and federal governments in schools. Then, write an article that addresses the following questions: Should the federal government continue funding and regulating education, or should states have full control? What could happen to student loans, special education programs, and college funding if the Education Department is eliminated? Would all students receive a fair education, or would some states provide better schooling than others? Use at least two sources (news articles, government websites, or education reports) to support your argument.

5. POLITICAL PROTEST

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to censure Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, for disrupting President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. Green shouted at Trump, rejecting his claim of having a strong mandate from the election, and refused to sit down when ordered. He was removed from the chamber by the Sergeant at Arms. As Speaker Mike Johnson read the censure resolution, Green and his fellow Democrats sang “We Shall Overcome,” leading to a chaotic scene. The censure passed in a 224-198 vote, with all Republicans in favor and ten Democrats joining them. Green remained defiant, saying he had no regrets and would do it again to protest potential Medicaid cuts. Some Democrats criticized the censure, arguing that decorum rules are enforced unevenly, as Republicans were not punished for similar outbursts during Biden’s speeches. The censure does not remove Green from office, but House conservatives are considering additional penalties, like stripping him of committee assignments. This marks the latest in a growing trend of censures in Congress, with Green becoming the 28th House member formally rebuked. Censures have become more frequent in recent years, reflecting the deepening political divisions in the chamber. Throughout U.S. history, lawmakers have used protests and disruptions to make political statements. Some argue these actions hold leaders accountable, while others believe they violate the decorum expected in Congress. Research a historical political protest where a lawmaker used a public outburst or demonstration to convey their message. You can choose from incidents such as Rep. Joe Wilson shouting “You lie!” during President Obama’s speech in 2009, Speaker Nancy Pelosi tearing up President Trump’s speech in 2020, or Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s protest of Israel’s policies in Congress in 2023. Then, write an opinion article on the role of protest in democracy. Address whether lawmakers should be allowed to disrupt official speeches as a form of political expression and whether censure discourages free speech or ensures order in government. Support your argument with at least one historical and one modern example. Consider how Congress should handle future disruptions fairly and consistently.