Teacher NeedsTeacher Needs

Reset desks facingReset desks facing 18 Rep nameplates18 Rep nameplates 12 Senate nameplates12 Senate nameplates President Pro TemporePresident Pro Tempore Speaker of the HouseSpeaker of the House Bill Proposal and committee formBill Proposal and committee form Summary Writing and modifiedSummary Writing and modified HopperHopper GavelGavel Desks/Podium for leadersDesks/Podium for leaders

You need your whiteboard, You need your whiteboard, marker and sock!marker and sock!

You can write down anything you want to You can write down anything you want to remember or any questions you have, but I will remember or any questions you have, but I will give you a copy of my notes at the end of the give you a copy of my notes at the end of the simulation so don’t worry about writing down simulation so don’t worry about writing down all the notes for the lawmaking process.all the notes for the lawmaking process.

Welcome to the Capitol Building.Welcome to the Capitol Building.Today you will play the role of a United States Today you will play the role of a United States Congressman as you simulate the law making Congressman as you simulate the law making

process.process.

House of Reps meet on this side.

Senators meet on this side.

The Leaders of CongressThe Leaders of Congress

1.Speaker of the House: Representative John Boehner from Ohio.

1.President Pro-Tempore of the Senate

Speaker of the House

President Pro Tempore

Fiore/Weckstein 2014!Fiore/Weckstein 2014!

Elected to the Presidency this year Elected to the Presidency this year on a platform of on a platform of “No more “No more testing in the schools and testing in the schools and making things right for Middle making things right for Middle School students around the School students around the nation!”nation!”

I should be addressed as Madame I should be addressed as Madame President!President!

Target: Simulate and explain Target: Simulate and explain how a bill becomes a law.how a bill becomes a law.

Before we actually simulate the Before we actually simulate the process, let’s make sure as process, let’s make sure as Congressmen and women, you Congressmen and women, you understand the process!understand the process!

Target: Simulate and explain Target: Simulate and explain how a bill becomes a law.how a bill becomes a law.

What article of the Constitution What article of the Constitution might explain the process?might explain the process?

You’re correct if you say Article One.You’re correct if you say Article One. Look at Article One Section 7 – with Look at Article One Section 7 – with

your team on whiteboard, write your team on whiteboard, write down the steps for creating a law down the steps for creating a law based on what Constitution says.based on what Constitution says.

On your whiteboard, write down the On your whiteboard, write down the steps for creating a law or tax as steps for creating a law or tax as

you see it in the Constitution:you see it in the Constitution:

Let’s see how close you were!Let’s see how close you were!

Listen as your Chief Executive Listen as your Chief Executive reviews the lawmaking process reviews the lawmaking process with you.with you.

No need to write, but don’t No need to write, but don’t hesitate to answer questions.hesitate to answer questions.

Target: Bill Becomes Target: Bill Becomes LawLaw

Yesterday, you read the Constitution to Yesterday, you read the Constitution to learn the lawmaking process.learn the lawmaking process.

Then, you began to simulate the Then, you began to simulate the process by becoming a US process by becoming a US Congressman and brainstorming ideas Congressman and brainstorming ideas for various US legislation.for various US legislation.

Today you will put your proposals Today you will put your proposals through the rest of the process and through the rest of the process and then show me you understand the then show me you understand the lawmaking process.lawmaking process.

Place your legislative lanyard on.Place your legislative lanyard on.

Step 1 – An ideaStep 1 – An idea

Every Bill starts Every Bill starts out as an ideaout as an idea

These ideas can These ideas can come from Congress, come from Congress, private citizens or private citizens or from the White Housefrom the White House

Special Interest Special Interest Groups may also try Groups may also try to influence Congress to influence Congress to write a Billto write a Bill

We have an

idea!

Step 2 – The intro to Step 2 – The intro to CongressCongress

Every Bill must be Every Bill must be introducedintroduced by a by a CongressmanCongressman – either a Senator or a – either a Senator or a House Member.House Member.

Each Bill is given a title and number Each Bill is given a title and number depending where it is introduced – depending where it is introduced – H.R.1 or S.1H.R.1 or S.1

Members of the House place their Members of the House place their proposed bills in a wooden hopper. proposed bills in a wooden hopper. Then the speaker of the house decides Then the speaker of the house decides where they go next.where they go next.

Members of the Senate stand to Members of the Senate stand to propose their bill. President Pro-propose their bill. President Pro-Tempore puts the bills in order of Tempore puts the bills in order of consideration and decides what to do consideration and decides what to do next.next.

THE HOPPER

Step 3 – Committee Step 3 – Committee ActionAction After it is introduced After it is introduced

the bill is sent to an the bill is sent to an expert committee in expert committee in each house to each house to discuss it.discuss it.

Leaders decide Leaders decide which committees which committees review which bills.review which bills.

Step 3 – Committee Step 3 – Committee Action continuedAction continued The role of the The role of the

committee is to committee is to debate, research, debate, research, end or finalize a end or finalize a version of the bill.version of the bill.– Pass without changesPass without changes– Have changes and Have changes and

pass it alongpass it along– Replace the Bill with Replace the Bill with

a alternative onea alternative one– Kill the BillKill the Bill

Step 4 – House and Senate Step 4 – House and Senate Debate and VoteDebate and Vote

When the When the committee finishes, committee finishes, the bill is ready for the bill is ready for debate and votes debate and votes by the full House by the full House or the Senateor the Senate..

Before a vote, Before a vote, when bills reach when bills reach the floor, the the floor, the members argue members argue the bill’s pros the bill’s pros and consand cons

Step 4 – House and Senate Step 4 – House and Senate debate and vote!debate and vote!

When members of When members of Congress are ready to Congress are ready to vote they may do so vote they may do so byby– Voice VoteVoice Vote– Standing VoteStanding Vote– Roll-call or Roll-call or – todaytoday’’s Computerized s Computerized

VoteVote

– A simple majority is all A simple majority is all that is needed to pass that is needed to pass a Bill. a Bill.

– If either house refuses If either house refuses to pass it, it diesto pass it, it dies

Step 4 – House and Senate Step 4 – House and Senate debate and votedebate and vote

If the bill passes one If the bill passes one house, the exact same bill house, the exact same bill goes to the other house goes to the other house and is voted on EXACTLY and is voted on EXACTLY as is.as is.

Only the Senate is allowed Only the Senate is allowed to add a rider (addition).to add a rider (addition).

The second houses votes.The second houses votes. If there were any If there were any

changes, it goes back to changes, it goes back to the house or a to a joint the house or a to a joint committee to have the committee to have the differences ironed out.differences ironed out.

Step 5: Presidential Step 5: Presidential Action Action

Presidential Presidential ActionAction is usually is usually the final step.the final step.

1.1. Veto: refuse to Veto: refuse to signsign

2.2. Sign the Bill into Sign the Bill into LawLaw

3.3. Do nothing Do nothing for 10 for 10 daysdays In session – the Bill In session – the Bill

becomes a Lawbecomes a Law Out of session – the Out of session – the

Bill dies – POCKET Bill dies – POCKET VETOVETO

Step 6: Overriding a Step 6: Overriding a VetoVeto

If the If the president president vetoes the vetoes the bill, Congress bill, Congress can override can override the veto by a the veto by a vote of 2/3 of vote of 2/3 of each house.each house.

Review the Process on side #1 – put Review the Process on side #1 – put these in order by writing the these in order by writing the

underlined words only in the correct underlined words only in the correct order.order.

Both houses Both houses overrideoverride veto by 2/3 vote veto by 2/3 vote Bill is Bill is introducedintroduced by a member of the by a member of the

House or SenateHouse or Senate Floor Action: Floor Action: Both House of Rep. and Both House of Rep. and

Senate debate and voteSenate debate and vote CommitteesCommittees research, debate and research, debate and

finalize the billfinalize the bill PresidentPresident signs or vetoes signs or vetoes Group, president or public suggests the Group, president or public suggests the

ideaidea

After you order: Write any questions After you order: Write any questions you have on your whiteboard.you have on your whiteboard.

Idea, intro, committee, floor action, president, override

Your rolesYour roles

You will be given your official You will be given your official Congressional lanyard.Congressional lanyard.

One half is the House, the other is One half is the House, the other is the Senate.the Senate.

Move desks.Move desks. Prepare to legislate!Prepare to legislate!

Now that your training is complete, let’s Now that your training is complete, let’s legislate. legislate.

Before we start – review and set rulesBefore we start – review and set rules

1. Members of House of Representatives– raise your hand You have the power to brainstorm, introduce, propose, debate and vote on all federal laws and taxes. The color on your desk today indicates the committee you will break into later. It’s also part of your job to set rules for you work in committees and debate.

2. Members of the Senate, raise your hand. You have the power to brainstorm, introduce, propose, debate and vote on all federal laws and taxes. The color on your desk today indicates the committee you will break into later. It’s also part of your house to make rules for your work in committees and debates.

3. Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate – Come to your leadership positions.

4. Each committee needs to suggest one rule which our “legislation” will use today to make this simulation provide the best learning experience for all students.

Let’s review our Let’s review our Congressional leaders…..Congressional leaders…..

1.Speaker of the House: Representative John Boehner from Ohio.

1.President Pro-Tempore of the Senate

Speaker of the House

President Pro Tempore

Welcome back to the Capitol Building, Welcome back to the Capitol Building, Congressmen and women to simulate the law Congressmen and women to simulate the law

making process.making process.Place your lanyard around your neck, please.Place your lanyard around your neck, please.

House of Reps meet on this side.

Senators meet on this side.

Simulation Day 2Simulation Day 2

Yesterday, you read the Constitution to learn Yesterday, you read the Constitution to learn the lawmaking process.the lawmaking process.

Then, you began to simulate the process by Then, you began to simulate the process by becoming a US Congressman and becoming a US Congressman and brainstorming ideas for various US legislation.brainstorming ideas for various US legislation.

Today you will continue to simulate the Today you will continue to simulate the legislative process to show me you legislative process to show me you understand how a Bill becomes a law and to understand how a Bill becomes a law and to practice your government knowledge as we practice your government knowledge as we begin to study early American governments begin to study early American governments in our next unit. in our next unit.

Are you wearing your lanyard?Are you wearing your lanyard?

Step One: An idea!Step One: An idea!--------You did this yesterday…..You did this yesterday…..

As President, let me give you some ideas.

I want to urge you to consider creating legislation for our nation regarding the dress code of Middle School students. The Department of Education tells me that the dress code of our public students has become a distraction to all American students.

You also might to consider creating some sort of tax on students that would allow teachers to buy weekly snacks for their students.

Do you have any ideas for dress code or any other laws for middle school students?

Step Two: Official Step Two: Official Introduction by Introduction by Congress.Congress. Yesterday in authentic House style, Yesterday in authentic House style,

members of the House placed their bills members of the House placed their bills in the Hopperin the Hopper

Today, we will begin with the Senate Today, we will begin with the Senate proposals . Senators will raise their proposals . Senators will raise their hands and be called on by their leader to hands and be called on by their leader to present their proposals.present their proposals.

At this point the House is quiet or they At this point the House is quiet or they will be removed by Speaker – and will be removed by Speaker – and security if needed.security if needed.

Step Three: Committee Step Three: Committee ActionAction

WHEN I SAY GO, You have five minutes to move into your expert Congressional committee. Led by a committee chair picked by your leader, your committee will read the bills assigned to you by your leader, and then you will research, revise, or kill. Use time quickly. Bills that don’t get through committee will die.

Leaders, you deliver bills and appoint a committee chair. Then return and set timer for 5 minutes.

Step Three: Committee Step Three: Committee ActionAction

1. Committees Chairs- Read the bill to your committee and lead them through a discussion to decide what to do with the proposed bill. Record your process on the form.

2. The committee can: revise it, kill it, rewrite it, and decide whether or not it will go to the entire floor for a vote.

3. Give each bill to your Congressional leader as you finish.

Committees Done. What’s Committees Done. What’s step four?step four?

What is the next step after committee action What is the next step after committee action according to what you learned yesterday?according to what you learned yesterday?

If you say floor action, you are correctIf you say floor action, you are correct Leaders – you will run the debate in your Leaders – you will run the debate in your

house. Pick your favorite, most debatable bill house. Pick your favorite, most debatable bill to go through floor action…to go through floor action…

Congressmen: move your desks back toward Congressmen: move your desks back toward the leaders if needed.the leaders if needed.

Step Four: Floor Action: Step Four: Floor Action: Debate and VotingDebate and Voting

Leaders– Pick the best most debatable bill to go through floor action.

Read it to your house. Lead the debate. Call for vote when you feel you’ve heard enough or when the timer rings. You have up to five minutes.

The House will go first and the Senate must listen quietly like they are not there.

Floor Action RulesFloor Action Rules

1.1. House debates and votes on one one bill.House debates and votes on one one bill.

2.2. Quiet when your house is not debating or leaders Quiet when your house is not debating or leaders and/or security will ask you to leave.and/or security will ask you to leave.

3.3. After the bill is presented, give an argument for or After the bill is presented, give an argument for or against the bill.against the bill.

4.4. Each Congressman today is challenged to speak at Each Congressman today is challenged to speak at least one arguments today, so participate early to get least one arguments today, so participate early to get your argument in. Leaders, you may also share your your argument in. Leaders, you may also share your arguments or concerns. Time is limited though, so arguments or concerns. Time is limited though, so keep it moving.keep it moving.

5.5. Speaker, set the timer for five minutes, then read your Speaker, set the timer for five minutes, then read your bill and begin debate. Send it to the President Pro bill and begin debate. Send it to the President Pro Tempore for debate after you’ve voted.Tempore for debate after you’ve voted.

Floor Action RulesFloor Action Rules

1.1. Senate debates and votes on the House Bill and has the Senate debates and votes on the House Bill and has the chance to debate and vote on one of their own bills. chance to debate and vote on one of their own bills. You have a total of 7 minutes this time.You have a total of 7 minutes this time.

2.2. House should listen and remain quiet or be removed.House should listen and remain quiet or be removed.

3.3. Each Senator today is challenged to speak at least one Each Senator today is challenged to speak at least one arguments today, so participate early to get your arguments today, so participate early to get your argument in. Leaders, you may also share your argument in. Leaders, you may also share your arguments or concerns. Time is limited though, so keep arguments or concerns. Time is limited though, so keep it moving.it moving.

4.4. President Pro-Tempore, set the timer for seven minutes, President Pro-Tempore, set the timer for seven minutes, then read your bill and begin debate. If necessary send then read your bill and begin debate. If necessary send your own bill to the house for a vote. your own bill to the house for a vote.

5.5. Speaker – you have two minutes for this vote.Speaker – you have two minutes for this vote.

Step Five: Presidential Step Five: Presidential ActionAction

The President will….Sign the bill.Veto the bill.Pocket veto….. Not sign before the end of the session.Pass without signing … if not signed within ten days of session, the bill automatically goes into session.

Step Six: Overriding the Step Six: Overriding the VetoVeto

Senate and House must both revote and pass by 2/3rds.

Closure and Connections – Closure and Connections – on whiteboard.on whiteboard.

1.Explain the six lawmaking steps to each other.2.What did you learn about the lawmaking process that you didn’t know?3.How do you think our process was different from the real process?4.What challenges are there to the lawmaking process?5.If you could talk to a legislator today and ask a question or propose a law, what would you say?6.Our current US Congress has often been criticized for their apparent failure to compromise. Why do you think it’s so hard for them to do that?

Exit slip and HomeworkExit slip and Homework

1.Test over targets k-AA on Monday. I will assign the take home piece to be done on Monday, but remember, it is on my website if you want to work on it this weekend instead. 2.Complete exit slip before you leave.3.Farm Bill to be Signed

Ohio’s CongressmenOhio’s Congressmen

1.Senators: Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman2.16 Representatives: Our local rep is Michael Turner3.The current speaker of the house is from Cincinnati – he’s very powerful and his name is John Boehner.