October 28, 2014

• Goal: Emulate how a bill becomes a law.• QOD: What is one law you believe

we need in the country? Why do we need it?• Homework: TEST next week

Go Over Test

• Multiple Choice—better• Essays– not so much…

Go Over Constitution Worksheet

Legislative Branch

• Article 1• Makes Laws• House and Senate• Requirements• Powers

I’m just a bill…

Bill is Drafted

• Members of Congress, the Executive Branch,and even outside groups can draft (write ordraw up) bills.

House/Senate

• Bill is introduced and assigned to a Committeewhich refers to a Subcommittee.

Subcommittee

• Members study the bill, hold hearings, anddebate provisions. Marks up the bill. If it passesgoes to Committee.

Committee

• Full Committee considers the bill. If it approves the bill in some form, the bill goes to

• the Rules Committee in the House Or

• straight to debate if it originated in the Senate.

Rules Committee (House)

• It issues a rule to govern debate on the floor.• Sends it to the Full House.

Full House/Senate

• Debates the bill and may amend it. If it is different from the other’s version, it must go to a Conference Committee.

Conference Committee (Senate)

• Senators and Representatives meet toreconcile differences between bills.

When agreement is reached, a compromise bill is sent to Full Senate.

Full Senate/Full House

•Votes on bill, if it passes in IDENTICAL FORM IN BOTH HOUSES it goes to the President.

President• Sign bill—it becomes a law• Veto – Two Types• Veto- refusal to sign bill into law usually accompanied

by a message to Congress explaining why• Pocket Veto- president does nothing for 10 days

–Congress can override a veto with a 2/3 majority vote.

Reflection Questions

1. What do you think of the process for a bill to become a law? Too long? Too short?

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the process a bill must go through to become a law?

3. Why do you think it was designed this way?4. What changes would you make to this

process? Explain.