How A Bill Becomes A Law

CIVICS

How A Bill Becomes A Law

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You just thought of a perfect law - but to make this a law, you must have to start from the very beginning... What is the process? Let's see if this helps you out! NOTE: Only one of the three will become a law! Can you find out which one will become a law?

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Part 1

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Part 1: How an idea for a law is formed...

Setting The Scene 1 You're a parent who believes that schools should provide each student with a customized/personalized curriculum.

Setting The Scene 2 You're the president of the U.S.A., and you believe that every Monday should be PJ Day!

Setting The Scene 3 You're the leader of a group of students at Glenbrook North High School, and you believe that lunch should be longer for all High Schools.

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Part 1: How an idea for a law is formed...

Step 1 - Pick a law

Setting The Scene 1

Setting The Scene 3

Setting The Scene 2

Part 1: How an idea for a law is formed...

Congrats! Your bill: "You're a parent who believes that schools should provide each student with a customized/personalized curriculum", has been put into place!

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Part 1: How an idea for a law is formed...

The House of Representatives heard about this bill! Your bill was dropped into the mahogany box!

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Part 2

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Part 2 l Step 1: Committee Work

The Speaker of The House decides that your bill should go to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce

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Part 2 l Step 1: Committee Work

Congrats! The committee decided to gather more information about the bill!

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Part 2 l Step 1: Committee Work

Great news! The committee is holding a markup session to make any last changes! Your bill is almost halfway to becoming law!

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Part 2 l Step 1: Committee Work

The Committee voted on your bill!

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Part 2 l Step 1: Committee Work

The Committee voted on your bill! The committee voted to report the bill!

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Part 2 l Step 1: Committee Work

The Committee voted on your bill! The committee voted to report the bill! Finally, the committee submits a report to the full House for further actions!

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Part 2 l Step 2: Floor Debate

The House Rules Committee is now going to schedule when the bill will go to the floor action! Below, you will see when your bill is scheduled!

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Part 2 l Step 2: Floor Debate

How interesting! Your bill is scheduled a lot sooner than all the other bills!

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Part 2 l Step 2: Floor Debate

Your bill was read out loud to the full House!

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Part 2 l Step 2: Floor Debate

John, a lawmaker, decided to change you bill just a little bit! Do you accept these changes?

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Part 2 l Step 2: Floor Debate

Your bill was read out loud to the full House!

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Part 2 l Step 3: Floor Vote

A majority of the members are present! We will begin the voting... now...

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Part 2 l Step 3: Floor Vote

"George Goodman!""Aye!"

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Part 2 l Step 3: Floor Vote

Voting is now over. We have 60% Aye!

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Part 2 l Step 3: Floor Vote

Congrats! Your bill is now closer to becoming law! Now to the Senate - The House of Reps sents over the bill to the Senate. A presiding officer recognized a Senator who then formally presented the bill.

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Part 3

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Part 3 l Step 1: Committee Work

The parliamentarian decided that your bill should go to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)

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Part 3 l Step 1: Committee Work

The Pros and Cons of this bill are being discussed right now...

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Part 3 l Step 1: Committee Work

Great news! The committee is holding a markup session to make any last changes! Aren't you excited?

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Part 3 l Step 1: Committee Work

The Committee voted on your bill!

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Part 3 l Step 1: Committee Work

The Committee voted on your bill! The committee voted to report the bill!

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Part 3 l Step 1: Committee Work

The Committee voted on your bill! The committee voted to report the bill! Finally, the committee submits a report to the full Senate for further action!

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Part 3 l Step 2: Floor Debate

Your bill was read out loud to the full Senate!

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Part 3 l Step 2: Floor Debate

The Senators are voting for a cloture! Some more good news to share! There are exactly 60 Senators so the cloture will go through!

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Part 3 l Step 3: Floor Voting

A majority of the members are present! We will begin the voting... now...

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Part 3 l Step 3: Floor Voting

"Charlie Newspace!""Nay!"

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Part 3 l Step 3: Floor Voting

Voting is now over.

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Part 3 l Step 3: Floor Voting

Voting is now over. You have...

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Part 3 l Step 3: Floor Voting

Voting is now over. You have... 51%!

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Part 4

Part 4 l Step 1: Conference Committee

Members from BOTH the House of Reps and Senate and from both majority and minority parties form a temporary committee to revise the bill, so it's word for word.

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Part 4 l Step 1: Conference Committee

Oh My GOD! Your bill was rewritten! The bill is sent back to the full House and Senate again...

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Part 4 l Step 1: Conference Committee

Oh My GOD! Your bill was rewritten! The bill is sent back to the full House and Senate again... You got your votes! Now it's to the last barrier!

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Part 4 l Step 2: Presidential Action

Congress sent the bill to the President!

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Part 4 l Step 2: Presidential Action

Oh no!

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Part 4 l Step 2: Presidential Action

Oh no! The President decided to veto your bill and it's back into Congress' hands again.

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Part 4 l Step 3: Back to Congress

But! You still have hope!

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Part 4 l Step 3: Back to Congress

But! You still have hope! They votes on your bill again!

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Part 4 l Step 3: Back to Congress

With 2/3rds vote... Congress successfully overrided your bill!

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Part 4 l Step 4: Brand New Law

CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR BILL JUST TURNED INTO A NEW LAW!

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Part 1: How an idea for a law is formed...

Congrats! Your bill: "You're the president of the U.S.A., and you believe that every Monday should be PJ Day!" has been put into place!

Continue

Part 1: How an idea for a law is formed...

The House of Representatives heard about this bill! Your bill was dropped into the mahogany box!

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Part 2

Locked

Completed

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Part 2: Committee Work

The Speaker of the House decides that your bill go to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

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Part 2: Committee Work

Congrats! The committee decided to gather more information about the bill!

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Part 2: Committee Work

Great news! The committee is holding a markup session to make any last changes! Your bill is almost halfway to becoming law!

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Part 2: Committee Work

The Committee voted on your bill!

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Part 2: Committee Work

The Committee voted on your bill! I'm so sorry to inform you that the committee decided to kill the law.

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Part 2: Committee Work

The Committee voted on your bill! I'm so sorry to inform you that the committee decided to kill the law. Unfortunately, that means that your law didn't make it to the next round. Please go back and select a new law!

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Part 2Step 2

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Part 1: How an idea for a law is formed...

Congrats! Your bill: "You're the leader of a group of students at Glenbrook North High School, and you believe that lunch should be longer for all High Schools," has been put into place!

Continue

Part 1: How an idea for a law is formed...

The House of Representatives heard about this bill! Your bill was dropped into the mahogany box!

Continue

Part 2

Locked

Completed

Locked

Part 2: Committee Work

The Parliamentarian decides that your bill should go to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)

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Part 2: Committee Work

I'm so sorry... Your bill was pigeonholed in the Committee.

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Part 2: Committee Work

I'm so sorry... Your bill was pigeonholed in the Committee. Pick a new law to try!

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Completed

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Step 4

You have reached the last mission 🎉 Do you know what the code is?

Enter the password

Congratulations on your brand new law!