Keith Mack
Learning about the legislative process can be a challenging task for students, but it doesn't have to be. Teachers are finding new and creative ways to teach their students about how a bill becomes a law, and one of the most popular methods is through board games. These games are designed to be fun and engaging, allowing students to actively participate in the learning process and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of lawmaking. By playing these games, students can experience the challenges and obstacles that come with getting a bill passed, from proposing a bill on the floor of Congress to navigating floor votes, filibusters, and conference committees. The more they play, the more they will begin to memorise the steps of the legislative process without even realising it, making it a truly effective teaching tool.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To help students understand the process of how a bill becomes a law in a fun and engaging way |
| Format | Board game |
| Target Audience | Middle or high school students |
| Topics Covered | Two-thirds vote, veto, House of Representatives, Senate, the President, etc. |
| Gameplay Mechanics | Dice rolling, cards, game pieces |
| Preparation | Print out game boards and cards; gather dice and pencils for game pieces |
| Game Structure | Students select a bill card and try to navigate it through Congress and onto the President's desk |
| Learning Outcomes | Memorization of the legislative process, understanding of the complexities of lawmaking |
What You'll Learn
The Legislative Branch and its lawmaking process
The Legislative Branch
The Legislative Branch is one of the three branches of the US government, alongside the Executive and Judicial branches. It is responsible for creating and passing laws and consists of two parts: the US House of Representatives and the US Senate.
The Lawmaking Process
Proposing a Bill
The lawmaking process begins with an idea, which can come from a Representative or a citizen. Citizens with ideas for new laws can reach out to their Representatives to discuss them. If a Representative agrees with the idea, they will research and write it into a bill. This bill then needs a sponsor and the support of other Representatives before it can be introduced.
Introducing a Bill
In the House of Representatives, a bill is introduced when it is placed in the hopper, a special box on the side of the clerk's desk. A bill clerk assigns it a number, and a reading clerk reads it aloud to all Representatives. The Speaker of the House then sends the bill to one of the House standing committees.
Committee Review
The committee, made up of Representatives who are experts in various fields, reviews, researches, and revises the bill. They may send it to a subcommittee for further examination and expert opinions before bringing it back for a vote on whether to send it back to the House floor.
Reporting the Bill
Once the committee approves a bill, it is reported to the House floor for debate. Representatives discuss the bill, explaining their points of agreement and disagreement. A reading clerk reads the bill section by section, and Representatives recommend changes.
Voting on the Bill
After all changes are made, the bill is ready for a vote. There are three methods of voting in the House: viva voce (voice vote), division (where Representatives stand up and are counted), and recorded (electronic) voting. If a majority approves the bill, it is certified and delivered to the Senate.
Senate Review
The bill goes through similar steps in the Senate. It is discussed in a Senate committee and then reported to the Senate floor for a vote. Senators vote by voice, saying "yea" or "nay." If the bill passes the Senate, it is sent to the President.
Presidential Decision
The President has three choices: sign and pass the bill, veto it (sending it back to the House with reasons for the veto), or do nothing (a pocket veto). If the President vetoes, Congress can hold another vote, and if two-thirds of Congress still support the bill, the veto is overridden, and the bill becomes a law.
The process of a bill becoming a law involves multiple steps and the collaboration of various parts of the Legislative Branch, demonstrating the careful consideration and debate that goes into lawmaking.
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The role of the House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is where all laws in the United States begin their journey as bills. The House of Representatives is made up of elected officials called Representatives, who are responsible for creating and proposing new laws. These Representatives are elected by the people and are there to represent their ideas and interests.
When a Representative has an idea for a new law, they write it into a bill. This bill then needs a sponsor and the support of other Representatives. Once it has enough support, the bill is introduced in the House of Representatives. A bill is introduced when it is placed in the hopper, a special box on the side of the clerk's desk. A bill clerk assigns it a number, beginning with H.R., and a reading clerk reads the bill to all the Representatives.
The Speaker of the House then sends the bill to one of the House standing committees. These committees are made up of groups of Representatives who are experts on specific topics, such as agriculture, education, or international relations. The committee members review, research, and revise the bill before voting on whether to send it back to the House floor. If they need more information, the bill is sent to a subcommittee for further examination and to gather expert opinions.
If the committee approves the bill, it is sent back to the House floor to be debated and discussed by all the Representatives. Representatives can explain why they agree or disagree with the bill and recommend changes. Once all changes are made, the bill is ready to be voted on. There are three methods for voting: viva voce, division, and recorded. In viva voce, Representatives say "aye" for yes and "no" for no. In division, they stand up and are counted. In recorded, they use an electronic voting system to record their vote as yes, no, or present if they don't want to vote. If a majority of Representatives vote yes, the bill passes and is sent to the Senate.
The House of Representatives is a crucial step in the law-making process, as it is where bills are introduced, debated, and voted on for the first time. It is where ideas for new laws are transformed into bills and given a chance to become laws.
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The role of the Senate
The Senate is a very important part of the lawmaking process. Once a bill has been proposed and introduced in the House of Representatives, it must then be sent to the Senate. The Senate is made up of Senators, who are like Representatives but represent their whole state, rather than their local area. Senators have to discuss the bill and decide if they agree or disagree with it. They will then vote on the bill, and if a majority say "yea", the bill passes in the Senate and is sent to the President.
Senators can also try to stop a bill from being voted on by using something called a filibuster. This is when a Senator talks for a very long time, so that the Senate cannot vote on the bill. This is a way for Senators to block a bill they do not agree with. To stop a filibuster, an "invoke cloture" vote can be held, which needs a special number of votes to pass.
Once a bill has passed in the Senate, it is sent to the President, who can sign it to make it a law, or veto it, which means it goes back to the House of Representatives.
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The President's role
The President plays a crucial role in the legislative process and has the power to influence whether a bill becomes a law. Once a bill has passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is sent to the President's desk for approval. At this stage, the President has three choices:
- Sign and pass the bill: The President can choose to sign the bill, and it will become a law. This is the desired outcome for those who support the bill.
- Veto the bill: If the President does not agree with the bill, they can veto it, sending it back to the House of Representatives along with their reasons for the veto. This action presents an obstacle to the bill becoming a law.
- Do nothing (pocket veto): If Congress is in session, the President can choose not to take any action on the bill. In this case, the bill will automatically become law after 10 days. However, if Congress is not in session, their inaction will result in the bill not becoming a law.
It is important to note that even if the President vetoes a bill, it does not mean the end of the process. If the House of Representatives and the Senate still believe the bill should become a law, they can hold another vote. If two-thirds of the Representatives and Senators support the bill, they can override the President's veto, and the bill will become a law despite the President's objection.
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How to change an unfair law
So, you want to know how to change an unfair law, huh? Well, that's an important question, and it's great that you're thinking about it! Changing an unfair law can be tricky, but it's not impossible, and there are some peaceful ways to go about it. Here are some steps you can take:
Know the Law
First, you need to know the law that you want to change. This might sound obvious, but it's important to understand the specifics of the law, why it was created, and how it affects people. You can find laws online, or by visiting a library or government office. It's also a good idea to talk to people who are affected by the law to understand their perspectives.
Gather Support
Next, you'll want to build a coalition of people who agree that the law is unfair and needs to be changed. This might include community members, organizations, or even elected officials. You can share your thoughts and ideas with others, and work together to come up with a plan to change the law. Remember, there is strength in numbers!
Contact Your Representatives
In a democracy, citizens have the power to elect people to represent them and make laws on their behalf. If you think a law is unfair, you can contact your local, state, or federal representatives and share your concerns. Representatives are there to serve the people, so they should be open to hearing your thoughts and suggestions. You can write letters, send emails, or even schedule meetings to discuss the issue.
Propose a New Law
If your representatives agree that the law is unfair, they can work with you to propose a new law. This involves researching, drafting, and introducing a bill to the appropriate legislative body. A bill is a proposed law that has not yet been enacted. It's important to provide reasons and evidence to support your proposed changes.
Go Through the Legislative Process
Changing a law requires following the legislative process, which can vary depending on the country and level of government. In the United States, for example, a bill typically needs to be approved by the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the President. This process includes committee reviews, debates, and votes. It's important to stay engaged and advocate for your proposed changes throughout this process.
Stay Informed and Involved
Changing an unfair law can take time and effort, but it's worth it to make a positive impact. Remember to stay informed about new developments, attend public hearings, and continue to share your thoughts with elected officials. By staying involved, you can make your voice heard and contribute to creating a fairer and more just society.
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Frequently asked questions
The purpose of this board game is to teach kids about the process of how a bill becomes a law in a fun and engaging way. By playing the game, kids will be able to understand the different steps involved in the legislative process and the challenges that come with it.
The game covers key topics related to the United States government, including two-thirds vote, veto, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the President.
The game can be played in small groups, large groups, or in pairs. Each player selects a proposed bill card and tries to navigate it through Congress and onto the President's desk. They must roll dice to move through the standing committees and onto the chamber floor for a vote, avoiding filibusters along the way. If their bill makes it to the Senate floor, they pick a "Filibuster or Not?" card. If it passes through the Senate, it goes to the President's desk, where the player picks a "Sign or Veto" card to determine the outcome.
This game provides a fun and interactive way to learn about the complexities of the legislative process. It helps kids understand the challenges and compromises involved in getting a bill passed and the different roles of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the President.
The game is suitable for middle and high school students studying Civics, American Government, or American History. It can be used as a fun review activity to reinforce their understanding of the legislative process.
