Pass the Bill Simulation: Your Idea, Your Law!

Objective

Experience the journey of a bill becoming a law by actively participating in a simulated legislative process.

Materials Needed

• Index cards or small slips of paper for "Bill Ideas"
• Markers or pens
• Labels for different stations: "Idea/Drafting", "House Committee", "House Floor", "Senate Committee", "Senate Floor", "Conference Committee (if needed)", "President's Desk"
• Optional: "Vote Yes" and "Vote No" signs for students

Instructions

Step 1: Idea & Drafting (5 minutes)

1. Form Your Group: Get into your legislative teams (3-4 students per group).
2. Brainstorm a Bill: As a group, come up with a simple idea for a new school rule or community law. Think about something you genuinely want to see happen. Write your idea clearly on an index card. This is your Bill Idea.
   Example: "Bill to allow cell phone use during lunch."
3. Draft Your Bill Title: Give your bill a short, catchy title.
   Example: "The Lunchtime Tech Freedom Act"

Step 2: Committee Review (House & Senate)

House Committee (5 minutes)

1. Move to the "House Committee" station.
2. Debate & Amend: As a group, discuss your Bill Idea. Does it have any flaws? How could it be improved? Make any necessary changes to your bill idea on the index card.
3. Vote to Pass: Each member of the "House Committee" must vote. A majority vote is needed to pass the bill out of committee.
   • If your bill passes, move to the "House Floor" station.
   • If it fails, revise and try again (or come up with a new idea if time allows!).

House Floor (5 minutes)

1. Present Your Bill: Briefly explain your bill to the entire class (acting as the "full House").
2. Class Debate (Optional): The teacher may open a brief, general class debate on a few selected bills.
3. House Vote: The teacher will call for a vote from the entire class (House members only). A simple majority is needed to pass the bill in the House.
   • If your bill passes, move to the "Senate Committee" station.
   • If it fails, your bill dies here. You can start a new one if there's time.

Senate Committee (5 minutes)

1. Move to the "Senate Committee" station.
2. Debate & Amend: The process is similar to the House Committee. Discuss your bill, propose changes, and vote to pass it out of committee.
3. Vote to Pass: A majority vote is needed to pass the bill out of committee.
   • If your bill passes, move to the "Senate Floor" station.
   • If it fails, revise and try again.

Senate Floor (5 minutes)

1. Present Your Bill: Briefly explain your bill to the entire class (acting as the "full Senate").
2. Class Debate (Optional): Similar to the House Floor, a brief debate may occur.
3. Senate Vote: The teacher will call for a vote from the entire class (Senate members only). A simple majority is needed to pass the bill in the Senate.
   • If your bill passes, move to the "President's Desk" station.
   • If it fails, your bill dies here.

Step 3: Presidential Action (if applicable)

President's Desk (Optional: 5 minutes if time permits for a few bills)

1. Present to the President: A representative from your group will present your successfully passed bill to the teacher (acting as the "President").
2. Presidential Decision: The "President" (teacher) will decide to:
   • Sign the Bill: Your bill becomes a law!
   • Veto the Bill: Your bill is rejected. You can appeal to the class to try and override the veto with a 2/3 vote from both chambers.

Reflection (After the game)

• What was the most challenging part of getting your bill passed?
• What surprised you about the legislative process?
• How did debate and compromise play a role in your group or the class?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Legislative Process Flowchart

Name: _____________________________

Directions: Fill in the blanks below to complete the flowchart, outlining the journey of a bill becoming a law. Use the terms provided in the word bank.

Word Bank:

• Idea
• Introduced in House/Senate
• Committee Action
• Floor Debate & Vote (Chamber 1)
• Floor Debate & Vote (Chamber 2)
• Conference Committee (if needed)
• Presidential Action
• Law
• Veto
• Override Veto

The Journey of a Bill

1. The Spark

A. _________________________

• A citizen, group, or legislator has an idea for a new law.

2. Getting Started

B. _________________________

• A Representative or Senator formally introduces the bill.

3. First Review

C. _________________________

• The bill is sent to a specialized group for review, research, and revision.
• Many bills die here.

4. First Vote

D. _________________________

• The full chamber discusses the bill and votes.
• Requires a simple majority to pass.

5. Second Review & Vote

E. _________________________

• The bill moves to the other chamber (e.g., if it started in the House, it goes to the Senate).
• Undergoes similar committee review, debate, and a vote.

6. Resolving Differences

F. _________________________

• If the House and Senate pass different versions of the bill, a special committee is formed to resolve the differences.
• Both chambers must approve the compromise version.

7. Final Approval

G. _________________________

• The bill is sent to the President of the United States.

8. The President's Decision

H. _________________________

• The President can sign the bill into a I. _________________________.
• The President can J. _________________________ the bill, sending it back to Congress.

9. Overcoming a Veto

K. _________________________

• If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can vote to overturn the veto with a 2/3 majority in both chambers.
• If successful, the bill becomes a Law despite the President's opposition.

Lawmaking Takeaway Ticket

Name: _____________________________

Directions: Please answer the following questions to reflect on what you learned today about the legislative process.

1. List three distinct stages a bill goes through to become a law.

   1. 
      
      
      
   2. 
      
      
      
   3. 
      
      
      

2. What was the most interesting or surprising thing you learned about how laws are made?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Why do you think the process of making laws is so complex?