HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW

Mrs. Vajgrt’s 9th Grade History Class

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to understand and explain the formation of a bill through the Simulation game, How a Bill becomes Law, and decide whether a bill is Constitutional based on their prior knowledge of the Constitution.

Lesson Roadmap (Day 1)

Ben Voki’s call to action! Discussion of lesson objective. Presentation on how a bill becomes law. Fill out flow chart. Role play-How a bill becomes law. Exit slip. Podcast Homework assignment.

Lesson Roadmap (Day 2)

Students share their podcast creations with their peers.

Students write the final version of the bill. Debrief of the role play activity.

http://threeseven-designs.com/2012/06/info-graphic-landscape/

How a Bills Becomes Law Introduction

Any ideas for a proposed piece of legislation can come from any citizen of the United States.

However, ONLY members of Congress can introduce a bill.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/01/1242925/-Dear-GOP-here-s-how-you-change-a-law#

House of Representatives

The House-All bills, including spending bills can be introduced in the House.

Committee Work-Bills are assigned to a committee.-Hearings are held to inform members.-Bills are “marked up” or amended and thenpassed to the floor or dropped.

House of Representatives Cont.

Floor Action-House members debate the bill.-Time for debate is limited.

*Once the Bill goes through either chamber, it must go through the other and follow the same procedure. Any differences between the House and Senate will be addressed Conference Committee.

http://www.house.gov/

The Senate

The Senate-Any Bills except spending bills can be introduced in the Senate.

Committee Work-Bills are assigned to a committee-Hearings are held to inform members- Bills are “marked up” or amended andthen passed to the floor or dropped

The Senate Cont.

Floor Action-Senate members debate the bill.-Time for debate is not restricted.-Senators can filibuster to stall passage.-Filibusters can be stopped with acloture vote of 2/3rds or 60 votes.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/floor_activity/floor_activity.htm

Committee Conference

Once a bill passes both houses of Congress, it goes before a Conference Committee to reconcile any differences. If necessary, another vote is taken in both chambers.

http://legisource.net/2013/04/18/conference-committees-navigating-the-final-step-to-passage-of-your-bill-2/

The President

The bill is sent to the President for signature to become law or vetoed. If the bill is vetoed, it goes back to Congress which can either accept the veto and make changes or try to override it with a 2/3rds majority of both Chambers.

http://illinois.edu/blog/view/25/53638?displayType=month&displayMonth=201106

Role-Play Activity

Now it is your turn to play the roles of Congress and decide as group whether or not to pass the new piece of legislation discussed by Ben Voki!

Directions!

The House-You will receive the proposed bill handed out by me (Mrs. Vajgrt) and break into committee where you will take notes and discuss the bill.-You will then you will go into Floor Action where you will debate the bill and decide if it is constitutional and make corrections.-Finally you will send your version to the Senate.

Directions Cont.!

The Senate-You will receive the proposed bill handed out by me (Mrs. Vajgrt) and break into committee where you will take notes and discuss the bill.-You will then you will go into Floor Action where you will debate the bill and decide if it is constitutional and make corrections.-Finally you will send your version to the House.

Directions Cont.!

Committee Conferences-Here you will get together as large group and write a final proposal to send to the President (Mrs. Vajgrt).

Role-Play Activity Debrief

Why is it important to understand how a bill becomes law?

The End!