Curated OER
"Let us Reason Together" Lyndon Johnson, Master Legislator
Students explore the contributions of Lyndon B. Johnson. In this congress lesson, students listen to their instructor lecture on the prowess of Lyndon B. Johnson's legislative skills. Students respond to discussion questions connected to...
Curated OER
Legislators and Representation - Executive, Federal and Interest Group Relations
Young scholars explore the interaction between the legislature and other governmental institutions. They watch videos exploring the relationship between the state legislature and two government institutions, and the role of lobbyists on...
Curated OER
Your Turn to Vote
Students examine the legislative process. In this Congress instructional activity, students consider the functions of Congressional committees as they participate in a simulation that requires them to experience the decision-making...
Curated OER
From A Bill To A Law
Students read about and discuss how a bill becomes a law and then propose a law themselves. In this law lesson plan, students learn legislative vocabulary and then brainstorm a law a write a letter proposing that law.
Curated OER
The Stages of a Bill Through Parliament
In this legislative process activity, students read 9 steps and arrange them in chronological order to reflect the steps that bills in Parliament must go through to be made into law.
Curated OER
Citizen Involvement In the Legislative Process
Young scholars engage in a lesson plan which can be adapted to a simulation, emphasizing citizens' contributing to the legislative process. They gain a better understanding of how the legislative process works.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Dirksen Center: A Bill Becomes a Law
Learning module on how a bill becomes a law offers students an alternative and in-depth approach to learning about the legislative process through text, graphics, and video .
US House of Representatives
U.s. Capitol: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Learn about the legislative process in the United States through this interactive tutorial, which demonstrates to students how a bill becomes a law.
PBS
Structure of Congress and the Legislative Process Lesson
This instructional activity explores the structure of Congress and the legislative process. There is an introduction, a research activity, an assessment, and a role play activity.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress Link: Lesson Plans
The Dirksen Congressional Center provides abundant lesson plans on all aspects of the US Congress and the US Constitution. All lessons contain time frames, objectives, and links to material, and are built around Bloom's taxonomy.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Congressional Record
The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. Successful navigation of the site take knowledge of the GPO's navigation code. An important hint for when looking up a specific...
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Congressional Reports
Congressional committee transcripts are compiled into the Congressional Reports section of the Government Printing office website. Most of the information included within the Congressional Reports include the gathering of expert...
Library of Congress
Loc: Enactment of a Law
This site explains the legislative process of how a law becomes enacted, step by step.
Other
Committee on Rules u.s. House of Representatives
This resource describes the Committee on Rules as an arm of the leadership of both parties, the committee is at the center of both political and legislative battles. The role of this committee has changed over time.
Other
U.s. House of Representatives: The Legislative Process
Learn about the House of Representatives and how it carries out its responsibilities and duties according to the U.S. Constitution.
Indiana University
Center on Congress: Learn About Congress
Learn about the role of the US Congress, how it works, its history, and the principles behind its creation and operation. Wonderful set of resources including FAQs, short articles and video clips, "interactive learning modules" (i.e., a...
iCivics
I Civics: Mini Lesson: Congressional Committees
Students discover the different types of congressional committees and their responsibilities in this lesson.
iCivics
I Civics: Executive Roles: Money Doesn't Grow on Trees?
Students learn the role of the executive branch in creating and carrying out laws and how the executive and legislative branches work together to create a new coin.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Little Legislatures
This site from the University of Groningen clearly defines the role of committees in the legislative process, as well as a brief historical perspective on congressional committees. Essays, text and biography links related to American...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: Tracking a Bill From Beginning to End
Learning Adventures guide on how a bill becomes a law summarizes the legislative process and makes it understandable for students of all ages. With links to U.S. Government publications.
Other
Joint Committee on Taxation
A general explanation of the Joint Committee on Taxation is contained on this website. The members of the committee are listed by name and state. The site aslo describes the responsibilities of this committee.
Other
State of Michigan: How a Bill Becomes a Law [Pdf]
Learn the steps involved in making a new law. The document explains how bills become laws in the state of Michigan, but the process is the same as it is for other states as well.
US House of Representatives
Office of the Clerk: Lesson Plan "A Bill Becomes a Law"
This lesson introduces learners to the legislative process and current bills before the House of Representatives. Discussion questions, critical thinking questions, and learning activities are provided. [PDF]
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Legislative Process: Congress at Work
Students will analyze historical records of the House and Senate to understand the sequence of steps in the legislative process. The students will work collaboratively to study documents and identify the step in the process that each...