1. How a BILL becomes a LAW

2. Do Now Recall from yesterday's class: What were some of the steps a bill took to become a law? When you are finished, turn in your web quest & homework from last class

3. I'm Just a Bill Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyeJ55o 3El0&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyeJ55o 3El0&feature=related

4. How does a Bill become a law? Bills- proposed laws, or drafts of laws presented to the House or Senate for enactment. Two types: –Public- measure applying to the nation as a whole- (tax bills) –Private-only apply to certain persons or places rather than to the nation generally.

5. Law Making Only a member of the House or Senate may introduce a bill but anyone can write a bill. Over 9,000 bills are proposed and fewer than 5 to 10% are enacted. A bill must survive three stages to become a law: committees, the floor, and the conference committee. A bill can die at any stage.

6. Once it is written... A bill may begin in either house o BUT...bills of revenue must begin in the House of Representatives.

7. How a Bill Becomes a Law Simulation Through the next part of class we will walk through how a bill becomes a law

8. Step 1: An Idea for a Bill Sources:

9. Simulation Each of you will write two bills on a separate piece of paper about what you think should be made into a classroom rule. They must be REASONABLE and MUST have good grammar and spelling!

10. Simulation After the bills have been written divide into two groups. (Two thirds of the class will be House of Representatives the other third will be the Senate.)

11. Step 2: Writing & Introduction of Bill Senate: Bill formerly read aloud on floor Bill then given to clerk Referred to committee by Steering Committee House: Bill dropped in hopper Referred to committee by the Speaker Sen. Smith introduces bill on the Senate floor ~ Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

12. Step 3: Committee Action House & Senate committees conduct public hearings Experts testify Markup of bills Committee vote: report favorably, unfavorably, or table bill House Armed Services Committee

13. Simulation 1) Once you are in the two groups, divide further into 2 committees. 2) In your committees look over the potential bills and see which ones you like best and could be passed. 3) When the committees have chosen bills they would like passed everyone come back to your designated area. (Senate & House of Reps.)

14. Step 4: Floor Action - Senate Party leaders schedule bills for floor debate on the calendar Unlimited debate Filibuster - member(s) keep talking to block debate on a bill Cloture vote by 3/5 of Senators (60) can end filibuster Floor vote: Roll Call, Standing, Voice Senator Strum Thurman still holds the record for the longest filibuster - 24 hrs 18 min. on the 1957 Civil Rights Act

15. Simulation The senate will now vote as a group about one of the bills.

16. Step 5: Approved Bill Crosses Over to Other House Approved bill must pass each chamber by a simple majority

17. Simulation If the vote is yes the bill will move to the other branch of congress and they will vote on the bill

18. Step 6: Conference Committee Members from each chamber meet to reconcile differences in the bill Senate-House Conference Committee works out details of the 2003 Healthy Forest Restoration Act

19. Simulation As the House and Senate, meet together to see how the Bill can be improved.

20. Step 7: Both Chambers Vote on Final Version of the Bill

21. Simulation As a group of Congress all of you will vote on the bill.

22. Step 8: President Considers Bill President can: 1) S ign the bill into law 2) Veto bill 3) Pocket veto Note: Congress can override veto with 2/3 vote in each house; only 4% of vetoes have been overridden *Pocket Veto-Prez can ignore the 10 day bill signing period if Congress adjourns prior to the 10 days. The bill is then dead.

23. Simulation The teacher will now look at the bill and decide whether it would be good for the classroom.

25. Simulation Congress can now use their checks and balances power to override the veto. As a full group, vote to override the veto.

26. Critical Thinking Questions: Fact: About 5,000 bills are introduced in Congress every year, but only about 150 are signed into law. Consider: 1.Why do so few bills become law? 2.Is that a good thing or a bad thing? 3.Should the legislative process in Congress be reformed? If yes, what changes would you recommend? If not, why not?

27. How a Bill Becomes a Law Storyboard You will now get to pretend to be a professional movie or novel storyboard artist! For the rest of class you will fill out a storyboard by detailing each step of how a bill becomes a law and then drawing a picture of what happens in the process. You will receive one point for each step. (Title, Explanation, & Picture) Try your best on the drawings and make sure to include color on all of your pictures. Is due tomorrow if not done in class

28. Exit Ticket -What is a bill? -How does a bill become a law? -What is a pocket veto? -How can Congress override a veto?