Game Of Laws: Bill's Journey

Teaching students about the legislative process can be challenging, but board games offer an effective and enjoyable solution. The How a Bill Becomes a Law board game project is an innovative way to educate students about the complexities of lawmaking in the American government. This project involves creating a board game that teaches players about the process of how a bill becomes a law, covering topics such as two-thirds vote, veto, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. The game is designed to be engaging and interactive, allowing students to actively participate in the learning process. They will face challenges and make decisions that mirror the legislative stages, providing a deeper understanding of the lawmaking process. The project includes additional resources such as lecture notes, film clips, and assessment tools to reinforce the concepts and make it a comprehensive learning experience.

The role of the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is an essential part of the legislative process in the United States. It is one of the two chambers of Congress, the other being the Senate, and it plays a crucial role in turning a bill into a law.

Firstly, a representative from the House sponsors a bill. This bill is then assigned to a committee for study and review. There are 23 House committees, with 104 subcommittees, and each committee oversees a specific policy area. The bill is first considered in a subcommittee, where it may be accepted, amended, or rejected. If the subcommittee agrees to move the bill forward, it goes to the full committee, where the process is repeated. If the full committee approves, the bill is reported to the floor of the House.

The House then debates the bill, with each member wishing to speak given a few minutes, and the number and kind of amendments are usually limited. If the bill passes the House by a simple majority (218 out of 435), it moves on to the Senate.

Once the bill has been through the Senate, a conference committee, made up of members from both the House and the Senate, works to resolve any differences between the two versions of the bill. The resulting bill then returns to the House for final approval.

The House of Representatives has several exclusive powers, including the ability to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in the case of an Electoral College tie. The House is made up of 435 elected members, with an additional 6 non-voting members representing various territories of the United States.

The role of the Senate

The Senate plays a crucial role in the legislative process, which is the process of making laws. The United States Congress is made up of two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Senate is composed of 100 Senators, with two representing each state. Senators are elected by the people of each state to serve six-year terms, and they must be at least 30 years old, US citizens for at least nine years, and residents of the state they represent.

Once a bill has been introduced and sponsored by a Representative in the House, it is assigned to a committee for study. If the committee releases the bill, it is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated, or amended. If the bill passes by a simple majority in the House, it then moves on to the Senate.

In the Senate, the bill goes through a similar process as in the House. It is assigned to another committee, and if released by the committee, it is debated and voted on. Again, a simple majority (51 out of 100) is needed for the bill to pass. The Senate has more flexibility in its debate process, as there are usually no limits on the number and kind of amendments that can be introduced, and Senators can speak to issues other than the bill under consideration. This flexibility can lead to a filibuster, where a Senator delays a vote on a bill by refusing to yield the floor. A supermajority of 60 Senators is required to break a filibuster and force a vote.

If the Senate makes changes to the bill, it must return to the House for concurrence. A conference committee, consisting of members from both the House and the Senate, works to resolve any differences between the two versions of the bill. The resulting bill then returns to both the House and the Senate for final approval. This process ensures that both chambers have a chance to provide input and make amendments to the bill before it becomes a law.

The role of the President

The President of the United States has a crucial role in the process of how a bill becomes a law. In the board game project, the players should be made aware of the President's authority to veto a bill that has been passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. This is a significant power that can impact the legislative process and the outcome of a bill.

The President's veto power serves as a check and balance on the legislative branch, ensuring that the executive branch has a say in the creation of laws. It is important for players to understand that the President's veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. This rule showcases the delicate balance of power between the different branches of government.

In addition to the veto power, the President also plays a role in proposing and supporting legislation. The President can use their influence and policy agenda to shape the direction of bills and laws. Working with Congress, the President can suggest and advocate for specific legislation that aligns with their administration's goals and priorities. This collaborative aspect of lawmaking adds another layer of complexity to the process.

Furthermore, the President is responsible for signing bills into law. Once a bill has passed both chambers of Congress, it is presented to the President for approval. The President's signature is the final step in enacting a bill into law, and it represents the executive branch's agreement with the proposed legislation.

Overall, the role of the President in the board game project should highlight the interplay between the executive and legislative branches. Players should understand the President's ability to influence, veto, and ultimately sign bills into law. This includes navigating the potential for congressional override of a presidential veto, showcasing the dynamic nature of lawmaking in the American political system.

Two-thirds vote

A two-thirds vote is required in both the House and the Senate to override a presidential veto. If the president vetoes a bill, it is sent back to Congress, where a two-thirds majority in both chambers is required to pass the bill into law. This is known as overriding the veto.

In the House, a two-thirds vote by members can also force a bill to the floor for a vote. This is known as a discharge petition and requires the signatures of a majority of the House (218 members).

Additionally, a two-thirds vote in the House and the Senate is required to propose a constitutional amendment.

Veto

Once a bill has been passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is presented to the President of the United States for approval. The President has the power to veto a bill, which means refusing to approve it and sending it back to the House in which it originated, along with their objections. This is known as a "regular veto".

If the President chooses to veto a bill, Congress can attempt to override the veto by holding a vote. If two-thirds of both the House and the Senate vote to override the veto, the bill will become a law. However, if the President does not sign off on a bill and Congress adjourns before the veto can be overridden, the bill will be vetoed by default. This is called a "pocket veto" and it cannot be overridden by Congress.

The veto power of the President is an important check on the legislative power of Congress. It allows the President to prevent bills from becoming laws if they believe they are not in the best interests of the country. However, it is important to note that once a bill becomes a law, the President does not have the authority to repeal it.

In the board game, players could incorporate the veto process by including a "President" role who has the power to veto bills passed by the other players. The other players could then attempt to override the veto by gathering enough support, simulating the checks and balances of the US legislative system.

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