The Legislative Branch
"All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives." -Article I, Section I of the U.S. Constitution
"Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"The people are the only legitimate fountain of power..." - James Madison
"Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"The people are the only legitimate fountain of power..." - James Madison
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Learning Goal:
Students will understand the structure, function, and processes of the legislative branch of government, as well as its role in the lawmaking process at the federal level. |
SS.7.C.3.3
Content Complexity: Level 2/Skills and Concepts Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution. SS.7.C.1.7 Content Complexity: Level 2/Skills and Concepts Describe how the Constitution limits the powers of government through separation of powers and checks and balances. SS.7.C.3.8 Content Complexity: Level 1: Recall and Reproduction Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. SS.7.C.3.9 Content Complexity: Level 1: Recall and Reproduction. Illustrate the law making process at the local, state, and federal levels. |
Task 1: How a Bill becomes a Law
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Think about the questions below as you watch the video and be prepared to discuss: | ||
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1. As we watch the video, we will pause periodically and match the steps of the lawmaking process at your table to each part of the video.
2. But let’s not forget its important to know WHY Bills are made in the first place. What is the issue of the bill in the video? (what does the law actually propose?) 3. Which step at your table is NOT mentioned in the video? Why is this step so important? BONUS: What committees might debate the bill mentioned in the video? |
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Directions: Write down the steps of "How a bill becomes a law" below and fill in the blanks using the WORD BANK.
bill, House of Representatives, Senate, President, committee, veto, override, majority, 2/3 majority, law
- A citizen contacts their congressperson with a problem or an idea.
- Congress drafts a ______.
- ___________ members research and discuss the bill.
- The _________________ and the __________ must both vote “yes” with a ________on the bill for it to go to the ______________.
- The _____________ can sign the bill into a ______ or _______ the bill.
- Congress can ______ a veto with a ____________ vote.
bill, House of Representatives, Senate, President, committee, veto, override, majority, 2/3 majority, law
Task 2: Structure of Congress
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Directions: Use the following "Structure of Congress" t-chart below from your study guide. Match the information about the Structure of Congress in the LEFT column numbered 1-8, with the correct text from the Constitution in the RIGHT column.
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Structure of Congress T-chart
Task 3: Powers of Congress
Directions: There are 9 expressed powers of Congress found below and in your study guide. Match each power with a set of images found in your study guide that BEST fits. Each set of images has a letter. When finished with Step 1, move on to Step 2 below in your study guide.
Step 1: Expressed Powers of Congress
Step 2: Implied Powers of Congress
Task 4: Voting in Congress
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We'll be going through the powerpoint attached BELOW titled "Voting in Congress" in class.
We'll be taking notes on the 4 factors that affect voting in Congress. As we take notes, we'll stop to take 2 Kahoot mini-assessments. 
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Task 5: Who Represents Us?
Complete the tasks for BOTH Columns "A" and "B" below.
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A
Click on the image above then follow the directions below:
1. Enter the zip code 32750 (or your own zip code if you know it) and click on “Find Your Rep by Zip.” 2. What is the name of our Representative from the House of Representatives in Congress? 3. What political party are they a part of? (Democrat or Republican?) 4. What district in Florida do they represent? 5. Click on our Representatives name and it will take you to their website. Find a current events article about what your representative in office is doing for the community. THIS CAN BE FOUND UNDER A LINK ABOUT MEDIA/PRESS RELEASES/NEWS, etc... Write a short summary of the article and give your opinion on it. |
B
Click on the image above then follow the directions below:
1. Click on “Choose a State” and pick Florida. 2. What are the names of Florida’s two Senators? 3. What political party are they a part of? (Democrat or Republican?) 4. Pick ONE Senator from the list and click on their name. This will take you to their website. 5. Find a current events article about what your Senator and what they are doing for the community. THIS CAN BE FOUND UNDER A LINK ABOUT MEDIA/PRESS RELEASES/NEWS, etc... Write a short summary of the article and give your opinion on it. |
Task 6: Impeachment of a President
Step 1: REVIEW one of the POWERS of the LEGISLATIVE BRANCH/CONGRESS by reading the primary sources below and then answer the questions that follow:
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Article I, Section II: “The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.”
Article 1, Section III: “The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.” Article II, Section IV: “The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” |
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1. Based on the primary sources above, what is “impeachment?"
2. WHO HAS THE POWER to vote for the first step?
3. WHO HAS THE POWER to "try" impeachment or have a trial for the second step? What FRACTION of this group must vote to convict?
4. CLICK HERE to research the following: Which President’s have been “impeached” in the past AND What was the OUTCOME/2nd STEP of these impeachments? (HINT...there are THREE Presidents who have impeached, and ONE who famously resigned/quit before impeachment)
2. WHO HAS THE POWER to vote for the first step?
3. WHO HAS THE POWER to "try" impeachment or have a trial for the second step? What FRACTION of this group must vote to convict?
4. CLICK HERE to research the following: Which President’s have been “impeached” in the past AND What was the OUTCOME/2nd STEP of these impeachments? (HINT...there are THREE Presidents who have impeached, and ONE who famously resigned/quit before impeachment)
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Step 2: CLICK HERE to read about Tom Steyer's independently funded INTEREST GROUP, "Need to Impeach." He utilized his FREEDOM OF SPEECH and PETITION to create PROPAGANDA to convince other Americans and their elected leaders to support impeachment. (his petition started over the allegations of President Trump colluding with Russia over election tampering)
CLICK HERE to again see the CURRENT arguments for impeachment. PICK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TASKS BELOW TO COMPLETE:
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Task 7: Gerrymandering...what's that?
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State legislatures (the Congress for each individual state that makes state laws) get to draw the district lines for that State. As you’ve already learned, members of the U.S. House of Representatives represent people living within a certain “district.” The term “Gerrymandering” refers to when state legislatures draw district lines that are seen as unfair because they may benefit a particular political party, race, religion, or other demographic group.
The term “gerrymander” comes from 1812 when Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry signed a bill that redistricted Massachusetts to benefit his political party. The districts were so oddly shaped, that one looked like a salamander. (hence the name Gerrymander) 
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STEP 1: In the example below, imagine the blue dots as areas/neighborhoods where there are a majority of democratic party voters. Imagine the red dots as areas/neighborhoods where there are a majority of republican party voters.
1. In the "Before" example, how many districts will most likely be represented by a Democratic in Congress and how many will be represented by a Republican in Congress?
2. In the "After" example, how did redrawing the lines (redistricting the structure of the Congressional district) change how many districts are represented by which political party?
3. In the example below, which political party probably has a majority in the state legislature? (remember the state legislature decides how to draw the districts) Why did they draw the lines the way they did?
4. How can gerrymandering impact the lawmaking process?
5. What are your opinions on gerrymandering?
1. In the "Before" example, how many districts will most likely be represented by a Democratic in Congress and how many will be represented by a Republican in Congress?
2. In the "After" example, how did redrawing the lines (redistricting the structure of the Congressional district) change how many districts are represented by which political party?
3. In the example below, which political party probably has a majority in the state legislature? (remember the state legislature decides how to draw the districts) Why did they draw the lines the way they did?
4. How can gerrymandering impact the lawmaking process?
5. What are your opinions on gerrymandering?
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Before
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After
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Step 2: The map here shows states where citizens are accusing the state legislature of GERRYMANDERING their districts. They are now arguing about this topic in the court system/judicial branch. CLICK HERE or on the map to read more about the particular cases in those states and continue below to look at issues currently resolved in FLORIDA. (notice District 5, BEFORE and AFTER) Many argued the awkward shaped district was packing African American voters to minimize their voting power. |
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CLICK HERE (then HERE if you want more info) to read about redistricting because of GERRYMANDERING in Florida. Click on the before and after images below. THEN, PICK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TASKS BELOW TO COMPLETE:
- Write a 2 paragraph response using evidence that explains your views on gerrymandering and its impact on the lawmaking process.
- Create a political cartoon that incorporates evidence and explains your views on gerrymandering and its impact on the lawmaking process.
- Create a pros and cons chart on the issue of gerrymandering and its impact on the lawmaking process.
- Create a poem/rap that incorporates evidence and explains your views on gerrymandering and its impact on the lawmaking process.
Task 8: Congressional Committees
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1. REVIEW: Where are congressional "committees" mentioned in the lawmaking process?
2. REVIEW: What are the two parts of Congress called? (what parts are included in the bicameral structure of Congress?) 3. Click on the "House Committees" image to the left and pick THREE committees. Then, briefly summarize their role/job. 4. Click on the "Senate Committees" image to the right and pick TWO committees. Then, briefly summarize their role/job. 5. Of the committees you selected, which do you think is the most important for the country overall? Explain why. |
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iCivics Practice
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Directions:
Click on the picture to the left and play "Lawcraft." WRITE A PARAGRAPH SUMMARY OF HOW THE LAWMAKING PROCESS WORKS. (and anything else you learned from the game) |
