Understanding The Legislative Process: A Visual Guide

Graphic organizers are a great way to help students understand the process of how a bill becomes a law. This complex procedure is made simple through visual aids such as storyboards and flowcharts, which break down the journey of a bill into easy-to-follow steps. These steps include the creation of a law idea, the involvement of a representative, the introduction of the bill to a committee, voting procedures, and, finally, the bill being sent to the President. By using graphic organizers, students can track the progress of a bill and gain a comprehensive understanding of the legislative process. This method of learning is engaging and interactive, making it an effective educational tool for teachers and a fun learning experience for students.

Idea for a law

Ideas for laws can come from anyone, from a child to the president. For example, citizens who have ideas for laws can contact their representatives to discuss their ideas. If the representatives agree, they research the ideas and write them into bills.

Let's consider an example idea for a law: a law to prevent teen traffic accidents. This idea for a law could be brought to a representative, who would then write and introduce the bill to a committee. The bill would then go through the standard process of becoming a law, including being voted on by the House of Representatives and, if passed, being introduced in the Senate.

• A law to increase funding for education: This law could allocate more resources to schools, provide teacher training, and improve access to technology for students.
• A law to protect the environment: This law could include measures to reduce pollution, conserve water resources, and promote recycling and the use of renewable energy sources.
• A law to reform the criminal justice system: This law could address issues such as police brutality, racial bias in sentencing, and the lack of rehabilitation programs in prisons.
• A law to improve mental health services: This law could increase access to mental health care, provide funding for research, and raise awareness about mental health issues.

Bill is drafted

The first step in the process of a bill becoming a law is the drafting of the bill. This can be done by any member of Congress, from either the Senate or the House of Representatives. The idea for a bill can come from the members of Congress themselves, or from everyday citizens and advocacy groups. Citizens with ideas for laws can contact their representatives to discuss their ideas, and if the representatives agree, they will research the ideas and write them into bills. The primary member of Congress supporting the bill is called the "sponsor", and other members who support the bill are called "co-sponsors". Once the bill is drafted, it must be introduced. If a Representative is the sponsor, the bill is introduced in the House, and if a Senator is the sponsor, the bill is introduced in the Senate.

The process of drafting a bill is an important first step in the legislative process. It involves researching, writing, and gathering support for a proposed law. Members of Congress often work with their staff and policy experts to research and write the bill, ensuring that it is well-crafted and aligns with the goals of the sponsor and co-sponsors. During this stage, it is crucial to consider the potential impact of the bill, the cost of implementing it, and how it fits within existing laws and regulations.

Once the bill is drafted, the sponsor will typically seek feedback and input from their colleagues, as well as relevant stakeholders and constituents. This collaborative process helps to refine the bill and address any concerns or potential issues. It also allows for the building of support for the bill, as sponsors want to ensure that it has a strong chance of success when it is introduced and moves through the legislative process.

In addition to the content of the bill itself, sponsors may also consider the timing of its introduction. Strategic timing can increase the likelihood of a bill's success, such as introducing it during a legislative session where there is a favourable political climate or when there are relevant current events that highlight the importance of the proposed law.

Overall, the drafting of a bill is a critical step in the legislative process, requiring research, collaboration, and strategic planning. It sets the foundation for the bill's journey towards becoming a law and involves the engagement of members of Congress, their constituents, and relevant stakeholders.

Bill is introduced

The first step in the process of a bill becoming a law is the introduction of the bill. This is preceded by an idea for a law, which can come from anyone, including a child or the president. Once there is an idea, a member of Congress drafts a bill. This could be either a Representative (in which case the bill is introduced in the House) or a Senator (in which case the bill is introduced in the Senate). The person who drafts the bill is called the "sponsor", and any other members of Congress who support the bill are called "co-sponsors".

Once the bill is drafted, it must be introduced. In the House of Representatives, this happens when the bill is placed in the hopper, a special box on the side of the clerk's desk. Only Representatives can introduce bills in the House of Representatives. When a bill is introduced, a bill clerk assigns it a number that begins with H.R.

After the bill number has been assigned, a reading clerk reads the bill to all the Representatives, and the Speaker of the House sends the bill to one of the House standing committees. These committees are made up of groups of Representatives who are experts on particular topics, such as agriculture, education, or international relations.

The committees review, research, and revise the bill before voting on whether or not to send it back to the House floor. If the committee members want more information before making their decision, the bill is sent to a subcommittee, which will closely examine it and gather expert opinions before sending it back to the committee for approval.

Once the committee has approved a bill, it is sent or "reported" to the House floor, where it is ready to be debated by the Representatives.

Bill goes to committee

When a bill is introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, it is given a number that begins with H.R. by a bill clerk and then read by a reading clerk to all the Representatives. The Speaker of the House then sends the bill to one of the House standing committees.

These committees are made up of groups of Representatives who are experts on specific topics, such as agriculture, education, or international relations. They review, research, and revise the bill, and vote on whether to send it back to the House floor. If the committee members require more information, the bill is sent to a subcommittee, where it is closely examined and expert opinions are gathered before being sent back to the committee for approval.

Once the committee has approved a bill, it is sent to the House floor, where it can be debated by the U.S. House of Representatives. Representatives can discuss the bill and explain their agreement or disagreement with it. A reading clerk then reads the bill section by section, and Representatives recommend changes. Once all changes have been made, the bill is ready to be voted on.

There are three methods for voting on a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives: Viva Voce (voice vote), Division, and Recorded. In a voice vote, the Speaker of the House asks those who support the bill to say "aye" and those who oppose it to say "no." In a Division vote, supporters are asked to stand up and be counted, and then the same is done for opponents. In a Recorded vote, Representatives record their vote using an electronic voting system, selecting yes, no, or present if they don't want to vote. If a majority of Representatives vote yes, the bill passes in the U.S. House of Representatives and is certified by the Clerk of the House before being delivered to the U.S. Senate.

Voting on the bill

The process of voting on a bill can vary depending on the chamber in which the bill is being considered. In the U.S. House of Representatives, there are three methods of voting: Viva Voce, Division, and Recorded. In Viva Voce, also known as a voice vote, the Speaker of the House asks Representatives to voice their support or opposition to the bill by saying "aye" or "no". In Division, the Speaker requests that supporters of the bill stand up and be counted, and then does the same for opponents of the bill. In a Recorded vote, Representatives use an electronic voting system to record their votes as yes, no, or present if they choose not to vote.

Once a bill has been voted on in the House, it moves to the Senate, where the process is similar. Senators vote by voice, with supporters saying "yea" and opponents saying "nay". If a majority of Senators support the bill, it passes and is ready to be sent to the President.

At this stage, it is important to note that even if a bill passes in the House and Senate, it is not yet a law. It must still be approved by the President, who has several options. The President can choose to sign and pass the bill, in which case it becomes a law. Alternatively, the President may veto the bill, sending it back to Congress along with their reasons for the veto. If Congress still believes the bill should become a law, they can hold another vote, and if two-thirds of both the House and Senate support the bill, the President's veto can be overridden, and the bill becomes a law.

In some cases, the President may choose to do nothing, which is known as a "pocket veto". If Congress is in session, the bill will automatically become a law after 10 days of inaction by the President. However, if Congress is not in session, the bill will not become a law.

Frequently asked questions