Our Federal System of Government
Session 12: How a Bill Becomes a Law

Materials

• Textbook
• Teacher-developed envelopes containing "How a Bill Becomes Law"

Instructional Activities

1. Discuss how elected officials write laws and take action in response to problems or issues. Individuals and interest groups also help shape legislation. Cite examples where individuals or groups were involved in the process (e.g., MADD in drunk driving laws or James Brady in gun control issues).
   
   
2. Explain that most bills follow a similar path to becoming a law. The President proposes an idea for a bill in the State of the Union Address, or a constituent or interest group suggests an idea for a bill. Then the following steps take place:
   •    A member of Congress introduces a bill.
   •    Work is done on the bill in committees.
   •    The bill is debated on the floor.
   •    A vote takes place on the bill in both houses.
   •    The President signs a bill into law (or vetoes the bill).
   
   
3. Ask students to clear their desks. Distribute envelopes with strips listing the steps for approving a bill. Ask students to remove the strips and sequence the steps.
   
   
4. Explain that students are going to write simulated bills on the computer tomorrow. For homework, each student should come to class with an idea for a bill based on an expressed or implied power of Congress.