Graphic
Other

Jewish Women's Archive: Women of Valor: Bella Abzug

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out this fascinating in-depth biography of Bella Abzug (1920-1998 CE), a civil rights activist and women's advocate elected to congress. Provides links to pictures, a timeline, and many personal narratives.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Legislative Branch: The House of Representatives (6 8)

For Students 6th - 8th
Explores how the House of Representatives was formed, how membership is decided, qualifications, and its special jobs.
Handout
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress Link: Voting Rights Act of 1965

For Students 9th - 10th
Explores the Voting Rights Act of 1965 from the perspective of a Congressional leader. Presents an abundant amount of historical information about the origins of the Act as well as the steps needed to get it passed.
Website
The White House

The White House: The Legislative Branch

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A brief summary of the the Legislative Branch of government and guidelines for membership. The powers of Congress, the legislative process, and even the oversights made by government, to prevent abuse of power, are discussed.
Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Reach of Congress

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Although short, this article very clearly describes the investigative powers of Congress and their importance. Links to other American History topics are available, as well.
Website
Other

Gov Track: Tracking the u.s. Congress

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A great resource for making current information about our government available to everyday citizens. Discover the status of federal legislation, voting records of members of congress, recent congressional votes, and more. Keep up to date...
Article
Other

America's Future: Behind the Headlines: The Constitutional Powers of Congress

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A short summary of the powers Congress does and does not have, with an emphasis on the Constitutional basis of each. [Published Jan. 24, 1999]
Handout
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: 19th Century African American Legislators: 1880s Repression

For Students 9th - 10th
This several page article recounts the black legislators in the Texas Congress and their attempts to address many issues affecting the African Americans in the state. Read about the Ku Klux Klan, convict leases, and segregation on railroads
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: How Our Laws Are Made

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This page provides links to every step in the legislative process, from sources of legislation through publication.
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: Enactment of a Law

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site explains the legislative process of how a law becomes enacted, step by step.
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: Enactment of a Law

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site is a description of the legislative process of the enactment of a law. It begins with the various origins, steps, procedures and schedules in the making of a law. It contains a description of terms.
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Congress's First Declaration of War Under the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The War of 1812 was the first war in which Congress used its power of declaring war. Using primary sources such as the Constitution and the War Manifesto of June 3, 1812, students will understand why and how Congress decided to declare...
Unit Plan
C-SPAN

C Span Classroom: Teaching About Minimum Wage

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource material for students and teachers on the minimum wage in the U.S. and whether or not Congress and the President should act to raise the minimum wage. Students examine pros and cons by watching C-SPAN videos for background...
Unit Plan
C-SPAN

C Span Classroom: Teaching About Standardized Testing

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive multi-media learning materials plus lesson plan on the debate over standardized testing in schools allows students to debate for themselves whether or not Congress should continue to require annual standardized tests for...
Activity
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Annotation 3: Article I

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides the annotation of Article 1 of the Constitution and the powers held by Congress. Focuses are on the implied, enumerated, inherent, and resulting powers of Congress. At the bottom of the page footnotes are provided.
Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Little Legislatures

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
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...
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: How Laws Are Made: The Language of the Law

For Students Pre-K - 1st Standards
Learning Adventures from Bensguide summarizes the process of lawmaking outlined in the U.S. Constitution and provides links to a glossary of legislative terms and Congressional Resolution from 2003.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

U.s. Government Publishing Office: History of Bills

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
For any legislative actions enacted upon a specific bill, the specific type of action is recorded in the History of Bills section of the Government Printing Office website. This information comes straight from the Congressional Record,...
Website
US House of Representatives

Office of the Clerk: The Role of the House

For Students 6th - 8th
Why did the founding fathers create two separate chambers in Congress - the House of Representatives and Senate? Find out the reasons for the dual chamber and the responsibilities of each one. Included is a glossary and printable puzzles...
Website
US Senate

United States Senate Committee on Finance

For Students 9th - 10th
This website outlines the purpose of the United States Senate Committee on Finance. Check out the hot legislation going through the committee. Don't miss out on any of the press releases too.
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: House Journal: Journals of the House of Representatives

For Students 9th - 10th
Link directly to the journals for each of the Congresses containing the minutes of the sessions.
Website
US Senate

U.s. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

For Students 9th - 10th
The responsibilities of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources oversees important legislation in Congress and has distinguished itself as among the most nonpartisan in the Senate.
Article
Other

Peoria Magazine: How to Influence Legislators

For Students 9th - 10th
Elected officials need your advice and ideas. This is an article that tells you exactly how to go about advising congressional representatives the correct way in order to be heard.
Whiteboard
SMART Technologies

Smart: Branches of the Us Government

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This interactive lesson can be used to introduce or to review the three branches of the United States government: legislative, executive, and judicial.