Understanding The Legislative Process: Bills To Laws

Teaching students about how a bill becomes a law can be challenging, but it is an important topic to cover in civics and government classes. The legislative process is complex and involves many steps, but it is crucial to understanding how laws are made and how our government functions. Here is a suggested lesson plan for teaching this topic:

1. Introduce the Topic: Begin by explaining the role of the legislative branch and the importance of law-making. Discuss how members of Congress represent their constituents and work on their behalf to create and modify laws.

2. Explain the Basic Steps: Provide an overview of the six major components of how a bill becomes a law:

- A bill is drafted and introduced in either the House or the Senate.

- It is assigned to a committee for examination, debate, and refinement.

- The bill goes to the entire House or Senate for discussion and a vote.

- If it passes in one chamber, it goes through the same process in the other chamber.

- The two chambers work together to make the bills identical.

- The final bill is sent to the President for approval or veto.

3. Dive into the Details: Break down each major step into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, explain the process of introducing a bill, assigning it to a committee, and the various actions a committee can take. Mention the role of the majority party in deciding which bills are considered and the concept of democracy in action.

4. Visual Aids and Text: Utilize visuals, such as photos and flowcharts, to help students understand the process. Provide the text of Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution, which outlines the basic process.

5. Sorting Activity: As a hands-on activity, provide students with cards or slips of paper that represent each step of the legislative process. Have them work in small groups or individually to sort the steps in the correct order. This reinforces their understanding of the process.

6. Game-Based Learning: Introduce a game or competition to make the topic more engaging. For example, create stations around the room that represent each step of the process, with questions and challenges for students to answer. Include a code-breaking element to add an extra layer of fun.

7. Current Events: Connect the legislative process to current events by discussing or analyzing recent legislation that Congress is working on. Use news articles, political cartoons, or polling data to spark discussion and critical thinking.

8. Debate and Discussion: Encourage students to debate the pros and cons of the legislative process. Are there steps that could be improved? Are there aspects that could be made more democratic? Allow students to share their thoughts and engage in respectful discourse.

9. Assessment: Finally, assess students' understanding of the topic through a quiz, essay, or project. For example, have students create their own mock bill and walk through the steps it would need to go through to become a law.

How a bill is introduced

So, you want to teach students about how a bill is introduced? Here's a step-by-step guide with some helpful tips to make the process engaging and informative.

Step 1: Understanding the Role of Representatives

Start by explaining the role of Representatives in the legislative process. Representatives are elected officials who propose and draft bills based on ideas they have or suggestions from citizens. Emphasize that Representatives are the voice of the people and are responsible for bringing forward laws that reflect the needs and interests of their constituents.

Step 2: Drafting the Bill

Next, discuss the process of drafting a bill. Explain that a Representative who supports a bill is called the "sponsor," and they work with other members, known as "co-sponsors," to develop the bill's content. Highlight the importance of collaboration and research during this stage.

Step 3: Introduction in the House or Senate

Now, we get to the crucial part – introducing the bill! If a Representative is the sponsor, the bill is introduced in the House of Representatives. On the other hand, if a Senator is the sponsor, the bill is introduced in the Senate. Explain the significance of this distinction and the different roles of the House and the Senate.

Step 4: The Hopper

Here's where things get a little more technical. Describe the "hopper," a special box on the side of the clerk's desk in the House of Representatives. This is where the bill is physically placed to be introduced. Only Representatives can introduce bills in the House. Emphasize the importance of this step as the official start of the bill's journey.

Step 5: Assigning a Number and Reading the Bill

After a bill is introduced, it's assigned a number that begins with "H.R." by a bill clerk. Then comes the first reading! A reading clerk reads the bill aloud to all the Representatives, ensuring everyone understands the bill's content.

Step 6: Referral to a Committee

The bill then moves to the next step – it's referred to a committee. Explain the role of committees, which are groups of Representatives with expertise in specific areas like agriculture or education. These committees carefully review, research, and revise the bill before making a decision on whether to send it back to the House floor for further discussion and voting.

In conclusion, teaching how a bill is introduced involves understanding the roles of Representatives and sponsors, the process of drafting and introducing the bill in the House or Senate, and the subsequent referral to a committee. By breaking down these steps, students can grasp the initial stages of how a bill becomes a law and appreciate the complex legislative process.

The role of committees

Committees play a crucial role in the legislative process, providing intensive scrutiny and debate on proposed bills. Committees are made up of groups of representatives or senators with expertise in specific areas, such as agriculture, education, or international relations. Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee, which will then research, discuss, and make changes to the bill.

Committees have several options when reviewing a bill. They can choose to hold hearings to better understand the bill's implications and gather expert opinions. They can also refer the bill to a subcommittee for further specialisation and study. Subcommittees will make changes to the bill and must vote to refer it back to the full committee.

Once the hearings and subcommittee review are complete, the full committee will meet to "mark up" the bill, making changes and amendments. If the committee votes in favour of the bill, it is reported to the floor, where it will be debated and voted on by the full chamber.

In the case of the House of Representatives, the Speaker may refer a bill to multiple committees, especially if it contains provisions that fall under the jurisdiction of different committees. The Speaker can also set time limits on committees.

Committee members who support the bill are called "co-sponsors", and they can be from either the House or the Senate.

The committee process is an important step in the journey of a bill towards becoming a law, as it allows for detailed examination, discussion, and potential amendments. It is also the stage where the bill's chances of passage by the entire Congress are determined.

Voting on the bill

Once a bill has been introduced, assigned to a committee, and debated, it is ready to be voted on. In the U.S. House of Representatives, there are three methods for voting on a bill:

• Viva Voce (voice vote): The Speaker of the House asks the Representatives who support the bill to say “aye” and those that oppose it say “no.”
• Division: The Speaker of the House asks those Representatives who support the bill to stand up and be counted, and then those who oppose the bill to stand up and be counted.
• Recorded: Representatives record their vote using the electronic voting system. Representatives can vote yes, no, or present (if they don’t want to vote on the bill).

If a majority of the Representatives vote yes, the bill passes in the U.S. House of Representatives and is then sent to the U.S. Senate. If the bill does not receive a majority of votes, it fails and is not passed. However, if the Speaker of the House feels the bill should become a law, it may be sent back to committee for further research and updates.

When a bill reaches the U.S. Senate, it goes through many of the same steps it went through in the U.S. House of Representatives, including being voted on. Senators typically vote by voice, saying “yea” if they support the bill and “nay” if they oppose it. If a majority of Senators vote “yea,” the bill passes in the U.S. Senate and is then sent to the President.

Voting on Amendments

During the voting process, each amendment to a bill is considered separately and must be voted on. Amendments may be proposed by members of the House or Senate, and they can be accepted or rejected by majority vote.

The President's role

If the President chooses to sign the bill, it becomes a law and is enforced by the government. This is the simplest way for a bill to become a law, as it requires no further action from Congress.

However, if the President disagrees with the bill, they can choose to veto it. A veto means that the President refuses to sign the bill, and it is sent back to Congress, along with the President's reasons for the veto. Congress can then attempt to override the veto by holding another vote on the bill. If two-thirds of the Representatives and Senators support the bill during this vote, the President's veto is overridden, and the bill becomes a law.

The President can also choose to do nothing, which is called a "pocket veto". If Congress is in session, the bill will automatically become law after 10 days, even without the President's signature. However, if Congress is not in session, the bill will not become a law. This type of veto cannot be overridden by Congress.

In summary, the President's role in the process of a bill becoming a law is to provide a final check and balance. The President can approve a bill and sign it into law, or they can attempt to block it by vetoing it. However, Congress has the power to override a presidential veto, demonstrating the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government.

What happens when a bill becomes law

So, you want to teach students about how a bill becomes a law? Great! Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide on what happens when a bill becomes a law, with some instructional tips for teaching this topic.

Step 1: The Bill Is Drafted

This is the first step in the legislative process. Any member of Congress, from either the Senate or the House of Representatives, can draft a bill. They can come up with the idea themselves or get input from everyday citizens and advocacy groups. The member of Congress who drafts the bill is called the "sponsor," and other members who support it are "co-sponsors."

Step 2: The Bill Is Introduced

Once the bill is drafted, it must be introduced. If a Representative is the sponsor, the bill is introduced in the House. It's placed in a special box called the "hopper" on the side of the clerk's desk. A bill number beginning with "H.R." is assigned, and a reading clerk reads the bill to all the Representatives.

Step 3: The Bill Goes to Committee

The Speaker of the House then sends the bill to a standing committee, which reviews, researches, and revises it. Committees are made up of groups of Representatives with expertise in specific areas like agriculture, education, or international relations. The committee may also send the bill to a subcommittee for further examination and expert opinions.

Step 4: The Bill Is Reported

Once the committee has finished its work, it reports the bill back to the House floor for debate. Representatives discuss the bill, explaining their points of agreement and disagreement. A reading clerk reads the bill section by section, and Representatives recommend changes.

Step 5: The Bill Is Voted On

After all changes have been made, the bill is ready for voting. There are three methods for voting in the House: Viva Voce (voice vote), Division, and Recorded (electronic) voting. If the bill passes in the House, it's then sent to the Senate.

Step 6: The Bill Is Referred to the Senate

In the Senate, the bill goes through similar steps: discussion in a committee, reporting to the Senate floor, and voting. Senators vote by voice, saying "yea" or "nay." If the bill passes in the Senate, it's ready for the President.

Step 7: The Bill Is Sent to the President

When a bill reaches the President, several outcomes are possible. The President can sign and pass the bill, making it a law. They can also veto the bill, sending it back to Congress with their reasons for doing so. Alternatively, the President can do nothing, which is called a "pocket veto." If Congress is in session, the bill will automatically become law after 10 days of inaction by the President.

Step 8: The Bill Becomes a Law

For a bill to become a law, it must be approved by both the House and the Senate and then signed by the President. If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers, and the bill will still become a law.

Teaching Tips:

• Use a real-world example of a bill that became a law to illustrate each step.
• Encourage students to think about the importance of citizen involvement in the legislative process.
• Highlight the checks and balances in the system, ensuring that multiple parties must agree for a bill to become a law.
• Provide opportunities for students to debate and discuss the pros and cons of specific bills to understand the complexities of lawmaking.

Frequently asked questions