Understanding Lawmaking: A Bill's Journey To Becoming Law

Teaching how a bill becomes a law is a fundamental part of civics and government education. While the legislative process can be complex and time-consuming, with many minuscule steps, it is possible to break it down into a few broad steps. This lesson plan aims to provide a deeper understanding of the process by which a bill becomes a law, and to engage students with collaborative activities and real-world context. The plan covers the basics of Congress and the legislative process, including the role of the Legislative Branch and its function in making laws. Students will learn about committees, lobbying, filibusters, and presidential actions, and will be able to identify the members of the government involved in the legislative process.

The legislative branch

Thousands of bills are introduced in Congress each year, but very few become law. A bill is drafted and introduced in either the House or the Senate, and then it's assigned to a committee. The committee closely examines, debates, and refines the bill before it goes back to the entire House or Senate for discussion and a vote. If it passes in one chamber, it goes through all the same steps in the other chamber. Once a bill has passed in both chambers, the two chambers work together to make the bills identical, and this single bill goes to the President, who has the power to sign it into law or veto it.

The legislative process can be taught in a few broad steps or broken down into many smaller, more intricate steps. For example, it's important to note that whichever political party has the majority in a chamber controls all the committees and decides which bills are prioritized. This can lead to interesting discussions about whether this is "democracy in action or a gross violation."

To make the legislative process engaging for students, it's beneficial to incorporate collaborative activities and provide real-world context. For example, examining current legislation and sharing what Congress is currently working on can illustrate how the process often differs from the idealized flowchart. Analyzing news articles, political cartoons, and approval ratings can also provide valuable context.

Committees, lobbying and filibuster

Committees, Lobbying, and Filibuster

Committees are an essential part of the legislative process, as they are responsible for reviewing and amending bills before they reach the floor for a vote. Students should understand the role of committees and how they can influence the outcome of a bill. They should also learn about the different types of committees, such as standing committees, select committees, and joint committees, and how they are formed.

Lobbying is another crucial aspect of the legislative process. It involves individuals or groups attempting to influence lawmakers' decisions. Students should learn about the different types of lobbying, such as grassroots lobbying and direct lobbying, and how they can impact the legislative process. They should also discuss the ethical considerations surrounding lobbying and whether it is a beneficial or detrimental part of the democratic process.

Filibustering is a tactic used in the Senate to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill. It is an important tool for minority parties to have their voices heard and try to influence the outcome of legislation. Students should understand the history of the filibuster, the rules surrounding it (including cloture, which is a procedure to end a filibuster), and how it has been used in the past to shape legislation.

To make the lesson more interactive, the teacher can divide the class into small groups and assign each group a specific bill to track through the legislative process. Each group should research the bill's progress, paying close attention to the roles of committees, lobbying efforts, and any instances of filibustering. They should also analyze how these factors influenced the bill's outcome and whether it ultimately became a law.

Finally, students can debate the pros and cons of committees, lobbying, and filibusters in the legislative process. They can discuss whether these elements promote or hinder effective law-making and explore potential reforms to improve the system.

The role of the President

The President plays a crucial role in the legislative process, especially in the final stages of a bill becoming a law. Once a bill has been drafted, introduced, debated, and passed in both chambers of Congress, it is sent to the President. At this stage, the President has the power to approve or reject the bill.

If the President approves of the bill, they will sign it, and the bill officially becomes a law. However, if the President disagrees with the bill or wishes to propose changes, they have the power to veto it. A presidential veto sends the bill back to Congress, where it requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate to override the veto and pass the bill into law without the President's approval.

The President's role in the legislative process is a key check and balance in the system, ensuring that laws passed by Congress are carefully considered and broadly acceptable. It is an important power vested in the executive branch to counterbalance the law-making powers of the legislative branch.

In addition to signing or vetoing bills, the President also has the power to propose legislation and influence the agenda of Congress. In the State of the Union Address, for example, the President can outline their legislative priorities and suggest laws they would like to see passed. While the President cannot directly introduce bills, they can work with members of Congress to draft and introduce legislation that reflects their agenda.

Understanding the role of the President in the legislative process is essential for students to grasp the complexities of law-making in a representative democracy. It highlights the interplay between different branches of government and the checks and balances inherent in the system.

The steps of a bill becoming law

Thousands of bills are introduced in Congress each year, but only a small fraction become law. The legislative process is time-consuming and intricate, involving numerous steps and the input of various members of the government. This lesson will break down the main stages a bill goes through on its path to becoming a law.

The Steps

• Drafting and Introduction: The first step is for a bill to be drafted and introduced in either the House or the Senate. This is done by a member of Congress, who proposes the bill on behalf of their constituents.
• Committee Assignment: Once introduced, the bill is assigned to a committee, which examines, debates, and refines it. This involves close scrutiny and discussion of the bill's contents and potential impact.
• Floor Discussion and Vote: After the committee stage, the bill moves to the entire House or Senate for further discussion. This provides an opportunity for all members to voice their opinions and propose amendments. A vote is then taken on the chamber floor.
• Passage to the Other Chamber: If the bill passes in one chamber, it moves to the other chamber (Senate or House) and undergoes the same committee and floor discussion and vote process.
• Reconciliation and Finalization: If the bill passes in both chambers, the two versions must be reconciled to ensure they are identical. This step involves collaboration between the chambers to resolve any differences and create a single, cohesive bill.
• Presidential Review: The finalized bill is then sent to the President, who has the power to approve or disapprove. The President can sign the bill into law or veto it. If vetoed, the bill can be sent back to Congress for further revisions.

While these are the broad steps, the legislative process involves many smaller, intricate steps and procedures. It is important to understand these stages as they form the core of a representative democracy, where elected officials work on behalf of their constituents to create laws that serve the common good.

Examining current legislation

News Outlets and Official Government Websites

Start each day of your legislative branch unit by reviewing either a news outlet or the official House.gov and Senate.gov pages. Share what legislation Congress is currently working on with your students. This is an excellent method to demonstrate how Congress usually operates less seamlessly than the flowcharts suggest. For instance, you could discuss how the political party with the majority in a chamber controls all the committees and decides which bills are prioritized.

News Article Analysis

You can also make the lesson more formal by assigning students to read and analyze news articles. This way, students can apply their knowledge of the legislative process to real-world examples and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved.

Political Cartoons

Bringing in political cartoons that depict current actions and attitudes about Congress is another option. These cartoons can provide a unique perspective and engage visual learners. Daryl Cagle's cartoon database is recommended as a source for relevant and engaging cartoons.

Gallup Polling

Additionally, sharing the most recent Gallup polling on Congress's approval rating can be eye-opening for students. It can help them understand the public's perception of the legislative process and the impact of Congress's work on the people they represent.

Legislative Branch Infographics

Thousands of bills are introduced in Congress each year, but only a small fraction becomes law. Providing infographics that outline the path of a bill through Congress can help students visualize the process and identify the points at which a bill can be blocked or die.

Frequently asked questions