Understanding The Legislative Process: Reading Activity

Teaching students about how a bill becomes a law can be challenging, but there are many creative ways to make the legislative process fun and engaging. Teachers across the United States have developed a variety of activities, games, and resources to help students understand the complexities of lawmaking. These include board games, flow charts, creative writing assignments, and interactive simulations. By using these tools, students can deepen their understanding of the legislative branch, the lawmaking process, and the important role of citizens in shaping the laws that govern them.

The Bill Is Proposed

The first step in the process of a bill becoming a law is the proposal stage. This is where a Representative takes an idea and crafts it into a bill. The idea can come from the Representative themselves or from a citizen. If a citizen has an idea for a law, they can contact their Representative to discuss it. If the Representative agrees with the idea, they will research it and write it up as a bill.

Once a Representative has written a bill, the next step is to find a sponsor. The Representative will talk to other Representatives to try to get their support for the bill. This is an important step as it helps to build momentum and increase the chances of the bill becoming a law. It also allows for amendments and improvements to be made to the bill before it is introduced.

The support of other Representatives is crucial as it indicates that the bill has a good chance of passing. It also means that there will be Representatives who are knowledgeable about the bill and can advocate for it during the legislative process. This step can take time as Representatives discuss the bill and may suggest changes or amendments.

Once a bill has a sponsor and the support of a number of Representatives, it is ready to be introduced. This is a significant milestone as it marks the official start of the legislative process. The bill is now on its way to becoming a law.

The proposal stage is a critical part of the process as it sets the foundation for the bill. It is during this stage that the idea for the bill is transformed into a formal document. The support of other Representatives is also key as it increases the likelihood of the bill advancing through the legislative process.

The Bill Is Introduced

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. When a bill is introduced, a bill clerk assigns it a number that begins with H.R. This is followed by a reading clerk reading the bill aloud to all the Representatives. Finally, the Speaker of the House sends the bill to one of the House standing committees.

The House standing committees are groups of Representatives who are experts on specific topics, such as agriculture, education, or international relations. These committees play a crucial role in reviewing, researching, and revising the bill before it moves forward in the legislative process.

It is important to note that before a bill is introduced, it goes through a proposal stage. During this stage, a Representative discusses the bill with other Representatives to gain their support. Once the bill has a sponsor and sufficient support, it is ready to be introduced.

The Bill Goes to Committee

Once a bill is introduced, it is sent to a committee. These committees are 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. If the committee members require more information, the bill is sent to a subcommittee. Here, the bill is closely examined, and expert opinions are gathered before it is sent back to the committee for approval. Once the committee has approved the bill, it is sent back to the House floor, where it is ready to be debated.

The committee stage is a crucial part of the legislative process. It allows for a detailed review and discussion of the bill by experts in the relevant field. This helps to ensure that the bill is well-informed, practical, and effective. The committee can also suggest amendments to improve the bill and address any concerns.

During the committee stage, the bill is carefully examined by a smaller group of Representatives with specific knowledge and expertise in the area. This enables a more thorough review than would be possible on the House floor. The committee can also call on experts from outside the House to provide additional insights and perspectives.

If the committee identifies any issues or concerns with the bill, it can suggest amendments or revisions to address them. These could include clarifying the language of the bill, adding additional provisions, or removing parts that are not feasible or consistent with existing laws. The committee's role is to ensure that the bill is well-drafted and likely to achieve its intended purpose.

The Bill Is Voted On

Once a bill has been debated and all changes have been made, it is ready to be voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives. There are three methods for voting on a bill: viva voce, division, and recorded. In a viva voce vote, the Speaker of the House asks supporters of the bill to say "aye" and those against it to say "no". In a division vote, supporters of the bill are asked to stand up and be counted, and then those who oppose the bill are asked to do the same. In a recorded vote, each Representative records their vote using an electronic voting system, selecting "yes", "no", or "present" if they don't want to vote on the bill.

For a bill to pass in the House of Representatives, it needs a simple majority of votes. If the bill passes, it is certified by the Clerk of the House and sent to the U.S. Senate, where it goes through a similar process. Senators vote by voice, saying "yea" if they support the bill and "nay" if they oppose it. If a majority of Senators vote in favour of the bill, it is then sent to the President.

The Bill Is Sent to the President

When a bill reaches the President's desk, there are three possible outcomes.

Firstly, the President can sign and pass the bill, and it becomes a law. Secondly, the President can refuse to sign or veto the bill, sending it back to the House of Representatives, along with their reasons for the veto. If the House and the Senate still believe the bill should become law, they can hold another vote, and if two-thirds of the Representatives and Senators support the bill, the President's veto is overridden, and the bill becomes a law.

The third option is a pocket veto, where the President does nothing. If Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes law after 10 days. However, if Congress is not in session, the bill does not become a law.

Frequently asked questions