Understanding Lawmaking: A 3-Hour Lesson On Bills Becoming Laws

Teaching students about how a bill becomes a law is an important lesson in civics and government. In the United States, the process of a bill becoming a law involves several steps and the involvement of various stakeholders, including citizens, lawmakers, the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and the President. This lesson plan aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of this legislative process and empower them to actively engage in the democratic process. Over the course of 3 hours, students will delve into the journey of a bill, from its conception as an idea to its potential enactment as a law. They will explore the roles and responsibilities of different branches of government and the impact of laws on society.

The Bill's Journey

The journey of a bill to become a law is a lengthy process. It begins with an idea, which can come from a Representative or a citizen. Citizens with ideas for new laws can contact their Representatives to discuss their ideas. If the Representatives agree with the idea, they will research it and write it up as a bill. The bill then needs a sponsor and the support of other Representatives before it can be introduced.

The Bill Is Introduced

In the U.S. House of Representatives, a bill is introduced by placing it in the hopper, a special box on the side of the clerk's desk. A bill clerk assigns it a number, beginning with H.R., and a reading clerk reads the bill to all the Representatives. The Speaker of the House then sends the bill to one of the House standing committees.

The Bill Goes to Committee

In the committee, a group of Representatives who are experts on the topic review, research, and revise the bill. They may also send the bill to a subcommittee for further examination and to gather expert opinions. Once the committee has finished its work, the bill is sent back to the House floor to be reported and debated.

The Bill Is Reported and Debated

During the debate, Representatives discuss the bill and explain their reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with it. A reading clerk reads the bill section by section, and the Representatives recommend changes. Once all changes have been made, the bill is ready to be voted on.

The Bill Is Voted On

There are three methods of voting on a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives: Viva Voce (voice vote), Division, and Recorded. In a voice vote, Representatives voice their support or opposition to the bill. In Division, they physically stand up and are counted. In a recorded vote, Representatives use an electronic voting system. If a majority of Representatives support the bill, it passes in the House and is certified by the Clerk before being delivered to the U.S. Senate.

The Bill Reaches the Senate

The bill then goes through many of the same steps in the Senate. It is discussed in a Senate committee, reported to the Senate floor, and voted on by the Senators. If the bill passes in the Senate, it is sent to the President.

The Bill Reaches the President

When a bill reaches the President, he has three choices: he can sign and pass the bill, making it a law; he can veto the bill, sending it back to the House with his reasons for the veto; or he can do nothing, which is called a pocket veto. If the bill is vetoed, but the House and Senate still believe it should become a law, they can hold another vote. If two-thirds of the Representatives and Senators support the bill, the President's veto is overridden, and the bill becomes a law.

The Bill Becomes a Law

If a bill passes in both the House and the Senate and is approved by the President, or if a presidential veto is overridden, the bill becomes a law. At this point, it is enforced by the government.

Committees and Revisions

Once a bill has been introduced, it is sent to a committee. Committees are groups of Representatives who are experts on specific topics such as agriculture, education, or international relations. These committees review, research, and revise the bill. They may also send the bill to a subcommittee for further examination and to gather expert opinions. This process is crucial as it ensures that the bill is thoroughly vetted and improved before moving forward in the legislative process.

The committee will closely examine the bill and may request additional information or expert opinions. They may also propose amendments or changes to the bill. This is a collaborative process that involves discussion and negotiation among committee members. The goal is to improve the bill and address any concerns or issues that may have been overlooked during its initial proposal.

During this stage, lobbying may also occur. Lobbying is when individuals or groups with a stake in the outcome of the bill attempt to influence the committee members' decisions. This can include providing additional information, sharing perspectives, or advocating for specific changes to the bill.

Once the committee is satisfied with the bill, they will vote on whether to send it back to the House floor. If the bill is approved by the committee, it will move forward in the legislative process. If not, it may be revised or rejected.

The committee plays a crucial role in shaping the bill and ensuring that it is well-informed, practical, and effective. Their expertise and input are essential in the law-making process.

After the bill is approved by the committee, it is reported to the House floor, where it will be debated and voted on by the full House of Representatives. This is another opportunity for revisions and amendments as Representatives discuss the bill and propose changes.

Presidential Approval

Once a bill has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, it is sent to the President. This is the final step in the process of a bill becoming a law.

The President's Options

When a bill reaches the President's desk, he has three choices. He can:

• Sign and pass the bill—the bill becomes a law.
• Refuse to sign, or veto, the bill—the bill is sent back to the U.S. House of Representatives, along with the President's reasons for the veto. If the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate still believe the bill should become a law, they can hold another vote on the bill. If two-thirds of the Representatives and Senators support the bill, the President's veto is overridden and the bill becomes a law.
• Do nothing (pocket veto)—if Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes law after 10 days. If Congress is not in session, the bill does not become a law.

Teaching Ideas

To teach this concept, you could:

• Explain the three options available to the President and the potential outcomes of each.
• Set up a role-play scenario where students take on the role of the President and must decide what to do with a particular bill. They must justify their decision to the class.
• Have students create a flow chart or comic strip depicting the journey of a bill, including the process of presidential approval.
• Facilitate a class discussion on the role of the President in the law-making process and the potential implications of their decisions.
• Assign a creative writing task where students imagine they are the President and must write a speech explaining their decision to sign or veto a bill.

Voting Methods

There are three methods for voting on a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives: viva voce, division, and recorded votes. In a viva voce vote, the Speaker of the House asks supporters of the bill to say "aye" and opponents to say "no." In a division vote, the Speaker asks supporters to stand up and be counted, and then does the same for opponents. In a recorded vote, Representatives use an electronic voting system to record their votes as yes, no, or present.

After a bill is voted on, if a majority of Representatives say or select yes, the bill passes in the House and is certified by the Clerk of the House before being delivered to the U.S. Senate. The Senate has a similar process, with Senators voting by voice, saying "yea" to support the bill and "nay" to oppose it. If a majority say "yea," the bill passes in the Senate and is sent to the President.

Law Enforcement

In the United States, the process of a bill becoming a law involves several steps, and at each stage, law enforcement agencies play a supporting role to ensure the smooth transition of a bill into a law. Once a bill has been proposed by a Representative and introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, law enforcement officers, such as the Capitol Police, are responsible for maintaining order during the legislative process. They ensure that the proceedings are secure and that only authorised individuals have access to the chambers.

As the bill progresses through the various stages, including committee review, debate, and voting, law enforcement remains vigilant in providing security. They also assist in maintaining the integrity of the process, preventing any unauthorised influence or interference. This includes ensuring the safety of lawmakers, staff, and the public during committee hearings, floor debates, and votes.

Once a bill passes both houses of Congress (the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate) and is signed into law by the President, law enforcement's role shifts to enforcing the new law. They work in collaboration with other government agencies to ensure that the public is made aware of the new law and its implications. This may involve educational campaigns, distributing information, and answering questions from the public about the new law.

Additionally, law enforcement plays a critical role in upholding the new law. They are responsible for ensuring that individuals and organisations comply with the law and taking appropriate action against those who violate it. This can include issuing warnings, imposing fines, making arrests, and working with the judicial system to prosecute offenders.

In summary, law enforcement is an essential component in the process of a bill becoming a law. They maintain security and order during the legislative process, facilitate a smooth transition by ensuring compliance, and uphold the new law by enforcing it. By understanding the role of law enforcement, students can appreciate the complex interplay between legislation and its implementation in maintaining a functioning society.

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