Students Simulate How Bills Become Laws

Teaching students about how a bill becomes a law can be challenging, but there are many creative ways to make this topic engaging and interactive. Group activities are a great way to get students involved in the learning process, encouraging collaboration, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the legislative process. From board games to simulation activities, students can explore the complexities of lawmaking while having fun. These activities allow students to take on different roles, debate, and make decisions, mirroring the journey of a bill as it navigates through Congress and, ultimately, to the President's desk.

Understanding the legislative process

The legislative process is the journey of a bill to becoming a law. A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. The idea for a bill can come from a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, be proposed during their election campaign, or be petitioned by people or citizen groups.

The journey of a bill

Once a bill is drafted, it is introduced and assigned to a committee. The committee will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill before putting it before their chamber to be voted on. If the bill passes one body of Congress, it goes through a similar process in the other body. Once both bodies vote to accept a bill, they must work out any differences between the two versions. Then, both chambers vote on the same version of the bill. If it passes, it is presented to the president.

The role of the president

The president can approve the bill and sign it into law, or they can refuse to approve it, which is called a veto. If the president chooses to veto a bill, Congress can, in most cases, vote to override that veto and the bill becomes a law. However, if the president does not sign off on a bill and it remains unsigned when Congress is no longer in session, the bill will be vetoed by default, known as a "pocket veto", which cannot be overridden by Congress.

Teaching the legislative process

There are various resources and activities available to teach students about the legislative process. These include board games, simulations, group readings, and creative writing assignments.

Drafting and introducing a bill

The first step in the legislative process is drafting the bill. Any member of Congress – either from the Senate or the House of Representatives – who has an idea for a law can draft a bill. These ideas can come from the Congress members themselves or from everyday citizens and advocacy groups. The primary Congress member supporting the bill is called the "sponsor", and other members who support the bill are called "co-sponsors".

Once a bill is drafted, it must be introduced. If a Representative is the sponsor, the bill is introduced in the House. If a Senator is the sponsor, the bill is introduced in the Senate. In the U.S. 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. Only Representatives can introduce bills in the U.S. House of Representatives. Once introduced, a bill can be found on Congress.gov, the official government website that tracks federal legislation.

Before a bill is introduced, the Representative talks with other Representatives about the bill to get their support. A bill needs a sponsor and the support of some of the Representatives before it can be introduced.

Committee and subcommittee review

Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. Committees are groups of Congress members who are particularly interested in different topics such as health or international affairs. The committee will carefully examine the bill and determine its chances of passage by the entire Congress. They may also hold hearings to better understand the bill's implications and put the views of experts, public officials, supporters, and opponents on the record.

Subcommittees are specialized groups that operate under committees and review bills before they are sent back to the full committee. They may also hold their own hearings and make changes to the bill. After the subcommittee review is completed, the full committee will meet to make changes and amendments to the bill before recommending it to the "floor".

Group Activity Ideas:

• Assign group members to different committees and subcommittees.
• Have each group research and discuss a sample bill, considering its implications and chances of passage.
• Facilitate a group discussion about potential changes and amendments to the bill.
• Encourage groups to hold mock hearings, inviting other group members to share their perspectives as experts, public officials, supporters, or opponents of the bill.
• Finally, have each group present their recommended changes and amendments to the full class, simulating the committee review process.

Voting by the full chamber

Once the bill reaches the floor, there is additional debate and members of the full chamber vote to approve any amendments. The bill is then passed or defeated by the members' votes. The bill is passed by a simple majority vote.

In the House of Representatives, the bill is assigned a legislative number by the Clerk and then sent to the Government Printing Office where it is printed and copies are made available in the document rooms of both Houses. Printed and electronic versions of the bill are also made available to the public.

In the Senate, introduced measures and House-passed measures are referred to the one committee of preponderant jurisdiction by the Parliamentarian on behalf of the Presiding Officer. By special or standing order, a measure may be referred to more than one committee in the Senate.

In both the House and the Senate, the bill is then passed to the floor to be voted on.

Presidential approval

Once a bill has been passed by both chambers of Congress, it is sent to the President for approval. This is the final step in the legislative process, and it is a critical one. The President has the power to approve or reject a bill, and their decision has significant implications for whether the bill becomes law.

The President has 10 days to consider the bill. They can choose to approve it, in which case they will sign it, and it will become law. Alternatively, the President may refuse to approve the bill, which is called a veto. A veto is a powerful tool for the President, as it allows them to block a bill from becoming law. However, it is not an absolute power, and in most cases, Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and the Senate. If this occurs, the bill becomes law despite the President's objections.

It is important to note that if the President does not sign off on a bill and Congress adjourns before the 10-day period is up, the bill will be vetoed by default. This is known as a "pocket veto" and cannot be overridden by Congress. This scenario underscores the importance of timely action by the President and Congress in the law-making process.

The approval process is a crucial stage in the journey of a bill becoming a law. It highlights the checks and balances within the US political system, where the legislative and executive branches have distinct but interconnected roles. The President's approval is a necessary step, but it does not always guarantee a bill's success or failure, as Congress can, in some cases, override their decision.

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