Understanding How Government Passes a Law: A Worksheet for 12-Year-Olds

Instructions

Read through the information provided below, and then answer the questions that follow. Use complete sentences where necessary.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

The journey of a bill becoming a law involves several steps in the government. Here’s a simplified version of the process:

1. Proposal: A new idea for a law is proposed. This idea can come from anyone, but most often it’s a member of Congress.
2. Drafting: The proposal is written down in a formal document called a bill.
3. Introduction: The bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.
4. Committee Review: The bill is sent to a committee that studies it, holds hearings, and may revise it.
5. Voting: If the committee approves the bill, it goes to the floor of the House or Senate where it is debated and voted on.
6. Other Chamber: If it passes one chamber, it goes to the other chamber (House or Senate) to go through a similar process.
7. Reconciliation: If there are differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, they work out those differences in a conference committee.
8. Final Vote: The reconciled bill is sent back to both chambers for a final vote.
9. Presidential Approval: If both chambers pass the bill, it’s sent to the President, who can sign it into law or veto it.
10. Override Veto: If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Questions

1. What is the first step in the process of a bill becoming a law?

2. Who usually proposes a new bill?

3. Explain what happens during the "Committee Review" stage.

4. What can the President do with a bill once it reaches their desk?

5. Why is it important for both the House and Senate to agree on a bill before it becomes law?

Activity

Choose your favorite law that you believe is important for society. Write a short paragraph explaining its significance and how it impacts people in your community.