Whatcha doin?

Oh making laws.

(How a bill becomes a law)

Standards and Indicators

•  Explain how the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, and the Northwest Ordinance have provided for the protection of rights and the long-term future of a growing democracy.  Explain how the U.S. Constitution protects the rights of citizens, regulates the use of territory, manages conflict and establishes order and security.  Explain how specific provisions of the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, limit the powers of government in order to protect the rights of individuals with emphasis on:a. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition;b. Right to trial by jury and the right to counsel;c. Due process and equal protection of the laws.

Describe the process by which a bill becomes a law.

In the Beginning, There was an In the Beginning, There was an Idea Idea

A Bill begins simply A Bill begins simply as an idea in as an idea in someonesomeone’’s minds mind

Propose a Bill…(no ring involved)Propose a Bill…(no ring involved)

Anyone can think up Anyone can think up a bill…a bill…

However, only a However, only a Member of Congress Member of Congress can propose a bill can propose a bill

Introducing a BillIntroducing a Bill

There are many bills There are many bills that come through that come through CongressCongress

Each bill must wait Each bill must wait until it is introduced to until it is introduced to either the House or either the House or SenateSenate

The CommitteeThe Committee’’s Turns Turn

After a bill is assigned After a bill is assigned a number, it goes to a a number, it goes to a special committeespecial committee

The committee will The committee will make changes if make changes if needed to the billneeded to the bill

(Sometimes bills will (Sometimes bills will be assigned to even be assigned to even smaller committees)smaller committees)

Hear ye Hear ye…Vote for my Bill!!!Hear ye Hear ye…Vote for my Bill!!!

When a bill is heard When a bill is heard by the House by the House or or Senate it is carefully Senate it is carefully looked over.looked over.

If changes need to be If changes need to be made then those made then those changes are made.changes are made.

Here Comes the Vote!!!Here Comes the Vote!!!

After debating the bill After debating the bill the House will vote for the House will vote for approval or rejectionapproval or rejection

If approved the bill will If approved the bill will move to the Senatemove to the Senate

If rejected it is either If rejected it is either forgotten or reworkedforgotten or reworked

The SenateThe Senate

The Senate will also The Senate will also discuss and change discuss and change each bill and then each bill and then they will vote.they will vote.

If it is passed then it If it is passed then it goes to the goes to the WhitehouseWhitehouse

A Presidential DecisionA Presidential Decision

The President either The President either signs the Bill into Lawsigns the Bill into Law

The President can The President can also Veto the Billalso Veto the Bill

Presidential Override Presidential Override

If the President uses If the President uses a veto on a bill, a veto on a bill, Congress has the Congress has the power to override that power to override that decisiondecision

2/3 vote is needed by 2/3 vote is needed by Congress to turn a Congress to turn a vetoed bill into a lawvetoed bill into a law