The Legislative Process: A Comic Strip Guide

Teaching students about the lawmaking process can be challenging, but a fun way to do this is by creating a comic strip. The project asks students to create a comic strip that teaches younger students how a bill becomes a law. The process is often long and complex, with a bill being requested by the people and sent to a congressman, before being debated in a committee and voted on in the House of Representatives. If the bill is in favour, it is sent to the Senate, and if it passes there, it is sent to the president to be signed or vetoed. This comic strip activity is a great way to engage students and help them understand the legislative process.

A bill is requested by the people and sent to a congressman

A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. The people might have an idea for a bill and petition it, or recommend it to a congressman who represents them. The congressman will then debate the bill with other congressmen, to decide if the bill should progress or die. The bill might be debated and amended several times before it is ready to be voted on.

The people's idea for a bill might be sent to a congressman because they are a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives. The congressman might also be approached as the idea is something that has been proposed during their election campaign.

The congressman will consider the bill and decide if they want to introduce it. If they do, the bill is assigned to a committee, whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The bill is then put before the chamber to be voted on.

If the bill passes one body of Congress, it goes to the other body to go through a similar process of research, discussion, changes, and voting. This process can be lengthy and involve a lot of back and forth, but it is necessary to ensure that the bill is thoroughly considered before progressing further.

The bill is debated in a committee

The bill is now in the committee stage, where it will be carefully scrutinised and discussed by a group of experts. This is a crucial step in the legislative process, as it allows for a detailed examination of the bill's potential impact and effectiveness.

The committee members will likely have differing opinions and priorities, so robust debate is expected. They will need to consider the practical implications of the bill, as well as any potential challenges or obstacles to its implementation. This is also an opportunity to make amendments to the bill, ensuring it is as strong as possible before progressing to the next stage.

The committee will likely hear from a range of stakeholders, such as interest groups, experts, and citizens who may be affected by the bill. This allows for a diverse range of perspectives to be considered and helps to ensure that the bill is fair and practical.

During this stage, the committee members will also have the opportunity to call for additional research or information to inform their decision-making. This could include requesting data, reports, or testimony from relevant government agencies or organisations.

The committee's goal is to reach a consensus on the bill and make any necessary amendments. This process can take time, as it is important to thoroughly vet the bill and address any concerns or issues that arise.

Once the committee is satisfied that the bill has been sufficiently debated and improved, they will finalise the bill and prepare it for the next stage of the legislative process.

The bill goes to the House of Representatives

The bill is now with the House of Representatives, where it will be voted on. The House of Representatives is one of the two bodies of Congress, the lawmaking branch of the federal government. The other body is the Senate.

The bill has already been through a lot. It was requested by the people and sent to a congressman, who argued and debated in a committee to decide if the bill should pass. Now, it's time for the House of Representatives to decide.

The members of the House of Representatives will have received the bill, which has been assigned to a committee. This committee will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. They will consider the bill's merits and decide whether to support it. This process involves a lot of work behind the scenes, with members of the House of Representatives consulting with experts, stakeholders, and their constituents to understand the potential impact of the bill.

Finally, the bill is put before the House of Representatives as a whole, and they vote on it. This is a formal process, with members voting electronically or by roll call. If the bill receives a majority of votes, it passes and moves on to the next stage. If not, the bill dies and does not become a law.

The process in the House of Representatives is a crucial step in the journey of a bill becoming a law. It involves detailed scrutiny and debate, ensuring that the bill is thoroughly considered before advancing further in the legislative process.

The bill is sent to the Senate

Once the bill arrives at the Senate, it will be assigned to a committee. The committee members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. This is an important step, as it ensures that the bill is thoroughly vetted and considered before it moves forward in the legislative process. The committee members will likely be experts in the subject matter of the bill, so their input is invaluable.

After the committee has finished its work, the bill is put before the Senate chamber for a vote. This is a crucial moment, as the bill must receive a majority of votes in favour to pass. Senators will likely engage in deliberation and debate before casting their votes, as this is a standard part of the Senate's legislative process.

If the bill passes the Senate vote, it will then be sent back to the other body of Congress, where it will go through a similar process of research, discussion, changes, and voting. This back-and-forth between the two bodies of Congress ensures that the bill is carefully considered and that any differences between the two versions are reconciled.

The Senate plays a vital role in the legislative process, and this step of the bill's journey is crucial to its ultimate success or failure.

The president signs the bill into law or vetoes it

Once a bill has been approved by both chambers of Congress, it is enrolled, or prepared in its final official form, and sent to the President. The President has ten days, excluding Sundays, to decide whether to sign the bill into law or to veto it. If the President approves of the bill, they will sign it, and it will become law.

If the President disagrees with the bill, they can veto it and send it back to Congress. Congress can then attempt to override the veto, but this requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers. If Congress succeeds in overriding the veto, the bill becomes law.

However, if the President does not sign off on the bill and Congress adjourns before the ten-day period is up, the bill will be pocket vetoed, and Congress will not be able to override this. In this case, if Congress still wants to pass the bill, they must start the legislative process from the beginning.

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