How a Bill Becomes a Law

Announcements:
READING: 325-331 in Edwards

UNIT TWO IDENTIFICATION TERMS

How a Bill Becomes A Law Google Doc
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Today's Essential Question: How do the differences between the House and Senate affect the lawmaking process?

Learning Standards:
CON-3.B: Explain how the structure, powers, and functions of both houses of Congress affect the policymaking process.

CON-3.B.2: Though both chambers rely on committees to conduct hearings and debate bills under consideration, different constitutional responsibilities of the House and Senate affect the policy-making process.

CON-3.B.3: Chamber-specific procedures, rules, and roles that impact the policy-making process include:

• Number of chamber and debate rules that set the bar high for building majority support
• Roles of Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, party leadership, and committee leadership in both chambers
• Filibuster and cloture
• Holds and unanimous consent in the Senate
• Role of Rules Committee, Committee of the Whole, and discharge petitions in the House
• Treaty ratification and confirmation role of the Senate

CON-3.B.5: Pork barrel legislation and logrolling affect lawmaking in both chambers.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

The legislative branch is responsible for making the laws. However, that process is cumbersome and complex, designed to make the passage of bills difficult. Today we will look at the process of how a bill becomes a law.




1. Discuss the following quote:
"Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made." -Otto von Bismarck

2. Look at the following chart. What conclusions can you make from the information? What explanations are there for the low number of bills being passed in recent years?

3. Read the following selection on how legislation is made.  As you read, take notes on the process. Specifically, contrast the classical way of legislation to the modern changes that have taken place over the last several decades.

4. This page lists all of the presidents and their vetoes. How frequently is the veto used? How successful are attempts to override vetoes? Which president had the most vetoes? Most vetoes overridden?

5. One unique rule of the Senate is the use of the filibuster, a tactic used to stall or block passage of a bill. Typically employed by the minority party, Senate rules allow for unlimited debate which means that a senator (or more likely a group of senators) can talk a bill to death.

Should we keep the filibuster? Read the two articles below about the use of the filibuster. Make a copy of this document and take notes on the readings, recording arguments both for the use and elimination of the filibuster. Finally, after evaluating the arguments explain your position on the use of the filibuster by the Senate.

Is the Filibuster a Drag on Democracy?

Fix the Filibuster, Don't Destroy It

Additional Readings:

US Constitution.net: How a Bill Becomes a Law

Project Vote Smart: How a Bill Becomes a Law

Videos: