1. Teacher Needs Reset desks facing 18 Rep nameplates
12 Senate nameplates
President Pro Tempore
Speaker of the House
Bill Proposal and committee form
Summary Writing and modified
Hopper
Gavel
Desks/Podium for leaders
Bills and Resolutions
There are 7,088 bills and resolutions currently before the United States Congress. Of those, only about 5% will become law. They must be enacted before the end of the session (the “113th Congress”).

2. You need your whiteboard, marker and sock!
You can write down anything you want to remember or any questions you have, but I will give you a copy of my notes at the end of the simulation so don’t worry about writing down all the notes for the lawmaking process.
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

3. Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.
Welcome to the Capitol Building. Today you will play the role of a United States Congressman as you simulate the law making process.
Senators meet on this side.
House of Reps meet on this side.
This is the western front of the Capitol building and the House meets on the Northern half while the Senate on the Southern half.
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

4. The Leaders of Congress
Speaker of the House: Representative John Boehner from Ohio.
President Pro-Tempore of the Senate
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore

5. Fiore/Weckstein 2014!
Elected to the Presidency this year on a platform of “No more testing in the schools and making things right for Middle School students around the nation!”
I should be addressed as Madame President!

6. Target: Simulate and explain how a bill becomes a law.
Before we actually simulate the process, let’s make sure as Congressmen and women, you understand the process!

7. Target: Simulate and explain how a bill becomes a law.
What article of the Constitution might explain the process?
You’re correct if you say Article One.
Look at Article One Section 7 – with your team on whiteboard, write down the steps for creating a law based on what Constitution says.

8. On your whiteboard, write down the steps for creating a law or tax as you see it in the Constitution:

9. Let’s see how close you were!
Listen as your Chief Executive reviews the lawmaking process with you.
No need to write, but don’t hesitate to answer questions.

10. Target: Bill Becomes Law
Yesterday, you read the Constitution to learn the lawmaking process.
Then, you began to simulate the process by becoming a US Congressman and brainstorming ideas for various US legislation.
Today you will put your proposals through the rest of the process and then show me you understand the lawmaking process.
Place your legislative lanyard on.

11. Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.
Step 1 – An idea
We have an idea!
Every Bill starts out as an idea
These ideas can come from Congress, private citizens or from the White House
Special Interest Groups may also try to influence Congress to write a Bill
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

12. Step 2 – The intro to Congress
Every Bill must be introduced by a Congressman – either a Senator or a House Member.
Each Bill is given a title and number depending where it is introduced – H.R.1 or S.1
Members of the House place their proposed bills in a wooden hopper. Then the speaker of the house decides where they go next.
Members of the Senate stand to propose their bill. President Pro-Tempore puts the bills in order of consideration and decides what to do next.
THE HOPPER
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

13. Step 3 – Committee Action
After it is introduced the bill is sent to an expert committee in each house to discuss it.
Leaders decide which committees review which bills.
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

14. Step 3 – Committee Action continued
The role of the committee is to debate, research, end or finalize a version of the bill.
Pass without changes
Have changes and pass it along
Replace the Bill with a alternative one
Kill the Bill
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

15. Step 4 – House and Senate Debate and Vote
When the committee finishes, the bill is ready for debate and votes by the full House or the Senate.
Before a vote, when bills reach the floor, the members argue the bill’s pros and cons
Speaker of the House leads the House Debate – John Boehner
VP or President Pro-Tempore lead the Senate Debates – Patrick Leahy
The Senate (only) can add riders
The Senate also allows filibusters which can only be stopped by a 3/5ths vote for cloture

16. Step 4 – House and Senate debate and vote!
When members of Congress are ready to vote they may do so by
Voice Vote
Standing Vote
Roll-call or
today’s Computerized Vote
A simple majority is all that is needed to pass a Bill.
If either house refuses to pass it, it dies
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

17. Step 4 – House and Senate debate and vote
If the bill passes one house, the exact same bill goes to the other house and is voted on EXACTLY as is.
Only the Senate is allowed to add a rider (addition).
The second houses votes.
If there were any changes, it goes back to the house or a to a joint committee to have the differences ironed out.
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

18. Step 5: Presidential Action
Presidential Action is usually the final step.
Veto: refuse to sign
Sign the Bill into Law
Do nothing for 10 days
In session – the Bill becomes a Law
Out of session – the Bill dies – POCKET VETO

19. Step 6: Overriding a Veto
If the president vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto by a vote of 2/3 of each house.

20. Idea, intro, committee, floor action, president, override
Review the Process on side #1 – put these in order by writing the underlined words only in the correct order.
Idea, intro, committee, floor action, president, override
Both houses override veto by 2/3 vote
Bill is introduced by a member of the House or Senate
Floor Action: Both House of Rep. and Senate debate and vote
Committees research, debate and finalize the bill
President signs or vetoes
Group, president or public suggests the idea
After you order: Write any questions you have on your whiteboard.
Step One: An idea F
Step Two: An introduction B
Step Three: Committee Action D
Step Four: Floor Action – Debating and Voting C.
Step Five: Presidential Action E
Step Six: Override A
FBDCEA

21. Your roles You will be given your official Congressional lanyard.
One half is the House, the other is the Senate.
Move desks.
Prepare to legislate!

22. Now that your training is complete, let’s legislate
Now that your training is complete, let’s legislate. Before we start – review and set rules
Members of House of Representatives– raise your hand You have the power to brainstorm, introduce, propose, debate and vote on all federal laws and taxes. The color on your desk today indicates the committee you will break into later. It’s also part of your job to set rules for you work in committees and debate.
Members of the Senate, raise your hand. You have the power to brainstorm, introduce, propose, debate and vote on all federal laws and taxes. The color on your desk today indicates the committee you will break into later. It’s also part of your house to make rules for your work in committees and debates.
Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate – Come to your leadership positions.
Each committee needs to suggest one rule which our “legislation” will use today to make this simulation provide the best learning experience for all students.
You will be given a role card to play of a real Senator or House member. Read your name, place it on your desk, and introduce yourselves to your fellow legislators nearby.
Would the Speaker of the House, John Boehner of Ohio and President Pro-Tempore, Patrick Leahy of Vermont introduce themselves to the class.

23. Let’s review our Congressional leaders…..
Speaker of the House: Representative John Boehner from Ohio.
President Pro-Tempore of the Senate
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore

24. Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.
Welcome back to the Capitol Building, Congressmen and women to simulate the law making process. Place your lanyard around your neck, please.
Senators meet on this side.
House of Reps meet on this side.
This is the western front of the Capitol building and the House meets on the Northern half while the Senate on the Southern half.
A United States federal law makes it illegal to issue a fake Weather Bureau forecast
In Oxford, It is unlawful for a woman to appear in public while unshaven. This includes legs and face.
In Youngstown, You may not run out of gas. Source: Youngstown City Ordinances, Section Link
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

25. Simulation Day 2
Yesterday, you read the Constitution to learn the lawmaking process.
Then, you began to simulate the process by becoming a US Congressman and brainstorming ideas for various US legislation.
Today you will continue to simulate the legislative process to show me you understand how a Bill becomes a law and to practice your government knowledge as we begin to study early American governments in our next unit.
Are you wearing your lanyard?
2 minutes

26. Step One: An idea! ----You did this yesterday…..
As President, let me give you some ideas.
I want to urge you to consider creating legislation for our nation regarding the dress code of Middle School students. The Department of Education tells me that the dress code of our public students has become a distraction to all American students.
You also might to consider creating some sort of tax on students that would allow teachers to buy weekly snacks for their students.
Do you have any ideas for dress code or any other laws for middle school students?
You will be given a role card to play of a real Senator or House member. Read your name, place it on your desk, and introduce yourselves to your fellow legislators nearby.
Would the Speaker of the House, John Boehner of Ohio and President Pro-Tempore, Patrick Leahy of Vermont introduce themselves to the class.

27. Step Two: Official Introduction by Congress.
Yesterday in authentic House style, members of the House placed their bills in the Hopper
Today, we will begin with the Senate proposals . Senators will raise their hands and be called on by their leader to present their proposals.
At this point the House is quiet or they will be removed by Speaker – and security if needed.
5 minutes
5 minutes
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

28. Step Three: Committee Action
WHEN I SAY GO, You have five minutes to move into your expert Congressional committee. Led by a committee chair picked by your leader, your committee will read the bills assigned to you by your leader, and then you will research, revise, or kill. Use time quickly. Bills that don’t get through committee will die.
Leaders, you deliver bills and appoint a committee chair. Then return and set timer for 5 minutes.
5 minutes
5 minutes
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

29. Step Three: Committee Action
Committees Chairs- Read the bill to your committee and lead them through a discussion to decide what to do with the proposed bill. Record your process on the form.
The committee can: revise it, kill it, rewrite it, and decide whether or not it will go to the entire floor for a vote.
Give each bill to your Congressional leader as you finish.
5 minutes
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

30. Committees Done. What’s step four?
What is the next step after committee action according to what you learned yesterday?
If you say floor action, you are correct
Leaders – you will run the debate in your house. Pick your favorite, most debatable bill to go through floor action…
Congressmen: move your desks back toward the leaders if needed.

31. Step Four: Floor Action: Debate and Voting
Leaders– Pick the best most debatable bill to go through floor action.
Read it to your house. Lead the debate. Call for vote when you feel you’ve heard enough or when the timer rings. You have up to five minutes.
The House will go first and the Senate must listen quietly like they are not there. 10
Total: 12 minutes
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

32. Floor Action Rules House debates and votes on one one bill.
Quiet when your house is not debating or leaders and/or security will ask you to leave.
After the bill is presented, give an argument for or against the bill.
Each Congressman today is challenged to speak at least one arguments today, so participate early to get your argument in. Leaders, you may also share your arguments or concerns. Time is limited though, so keep it moving.
Speaker, set the timer for five minutes, then read your bill and begin debate. Send it to the President Pro Tempore for debate after you’ve voted.
5 minutes each
5 minutes

33. Floor Action Rules
Senate debates and votes on the House Bill and has the chance to debate and vote on one of their own bills. You have a total of 7 minutes this time.
House should listen and remain quiet or be removed.
Each Senator today is challenged to speak at least one arguments today, so participate early to get your argument in. Leaders, you may also share your arguments or concerns. Time is limited though, so keep it moving.
President Pro-Tempore, set the timer for seven minutes, then read your bill and begin debate. If necessary send your own bill to the house for a vote.
Speaker – you have two minutes for this vote.
9 minutes each
7 plus 2 minutes

34. Step Five: Presidential Action
The President will….
Sign the bill.
Veto the bill.
Pocket veto….. Not sign before the end of the session.
Pass without signing … if not signed within ten days of session, the bill automatically goes into session.
5 minutes
3 minutes
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

35. Step Six: Overriding the Veto
Senate and House must both revote and pass by 2/3rds.
3 minutes
5 minutes
Target: Explain how a bill becomes a law.

36. Closure and Connections – on whiteboard.
Explain the six lawmaking steps to each other.
What did you learn about the lawmaking process that you didn’t know?
How do you think our process was different from the real process?
What challenges are there to the lawmaking process?
If you could talk to a legislator today and ask a question or propose a law, what would you say?
Our current US Congress has often been criticized for their apparent failure to compromise. Why do you think it’s so hard for them to do that?
5 minutes
Bills and Resolutions
There are 7,088 bills and resolutions currently before the United States Congress. Of those, only about 5% will become law. They must be enacted before the end of the session (the “113th Congress”).
5 minutes

37. Exit slip and Homework
Test over targets k-AA on Monday. I will assign the take home piece to be done on Monday, but remember, it is on my website if you want to work on it this weekend instead.
Complete exit slip before you leave.
Farm Bill to be Signed

38. Ohio’s Congressmen Senators: Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman
16 Representatives: Our local rep is Michael Turner
The current speaker of the house is from Cincinnati – he’s very powerful and his name is John Boehner.