How are laws made? Legislating is a slow process ON PURPOSE and there are many places a potential law can die along the way. The Framers designed the process to protect people from the government and to ensure thought and discussion occurred. They hoped to prevent laws based on emotion and ensure laws were based on reason.

Usually to correct a problem or address a concern How a Bill Becomes a Law It starts as an idea… A member of Congress takes the idea and writes a BILL (a proposed law) and introduces the bill to his House Usually to correct a problem or address a concern

Lets look at an example… A House Bill is written by a Congressman and starts in the House Bill

Bill starts in a House Committee; It can be passed or can die in committee Bill reaches the House Floor; It can be passed or can die STOP STOP Bill If Passed… If Passed… DEAD END DEAD END Bill

Bills that start in the Senate Crossover: House bills now go to the Senate Bill Bills that start in the Senate now go to the House

Bill reaches a Senate Committee; It can be passed or can die in committee Bill reaches Senate Floor; can be passed or can die STOP STOP Bill If Passed… If Passed… DEAD END DEAD END Bill starts in a House Committee; It can be passed or can die in committee

If 2/3rds in BOTH houses agree… A 2/3rds vote of BOTH Houses can override a veto; without the bill dies STOP STOP If 2/3rds in BOTH houses agree… DEAD END If Vetoed… Bill If Signed… The bill then goes to the President; he can sign it into law or veto the bill BILL IS NOW A LAW

Bills go through the same process in House and Senate Where they start (House or Senate) depends on where it is first introduced and by whom. This is how laws are made. Remember, it is a slow process ON PURPOSE and there are many places a bill can die along the way ON PURPOSE.

YOUR TURN! With a partner, you are going to take the next EIGHT minutes to write your own bill that will go through the process. Think about things you would like changed or problems in society you would like addressed. Bills need to be REALISTIC and SERIOUS! Bills banning school or homework do not fit this criteria! You will have to defend why your bill is important- keep this in mind when writing! DUE AT END OF CLASS!

DEAD END STOP STOP DEAD END

STOP STOP DEAD END BILL IS NOW A LAW