How a Bill becomes a LawBill--- A suggested law

Revenue--- Money coming into the treasury

Revenue bill--- A suggested Tax law to raise revenue

Veto--- To Refuse to sign

REMEMBER: Bills can start in either part of congress except for revenue bills which must start in the house.

Bills must pass both parts of Congress in the EXACT final form.

PROCESS

• I’m just a bill sitting here on Capitol Hill

President

• The President has 10 days to do something

» 1. Sign it---Becomes law » 2. Veto it» 3. Let it sit 10 days while Congress works----

becomes law automatically» 4. Let it sit 10 days while Congress adjourns--- bill

dies ( pocket veto )

If the President Vetoes…

• 1. Sends bill back to original chamber( where it started)

• 2. Lists ALL reasons for veto.

• 3. Congress can make changes or revote on bill. If 2/3 of House AND 2/3 of Senate vote for the bill, it becomes law ( overriding a veto )

Bill #1

• All students in all public schools in the United States will wear a school uniform. Any other form of dress will be illegal and punishable by a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars. It shall be the job of the school to enforce the dress code. Schools in violation will be fined a sum not to exceed one thousand dollars

Rationale for Bill #1

• School uniforms will help decrease the gang problem, give students self-esteem and detract from the formation of cliques and alienation of students who do not have the means to afford fancy, expensive clothes.

Bill #2

• Schools will become year round. All schools will be year round. The number of days students attend school will be increased from 180 to 225. Each state can decide how to divide up the year, however students will not be allowed breaks of longer than one week at a time.

Rationale for Bill #2

• Schools in America are not competitive with schools around the world. Test scores

show American kids falling behind on a yearly basis. More time in the classroom will translate into more intelligent kids.

Bill #3

• Parents will be forced to pay a fine each time a student receives a detention or any other type of discipline in school. The fines will begin at ten dollars for a first offense and range up to one hundred dollars for repeated or major offenses.

Rationale for Bill #3

• If parents are held financially responsible for the behavior of their student, they will spend more time teaching their student to be respectful of others including figures of authority. Parents who refuse to pay the fines will be jailed for up to thirty days at a time.

Bill #4

Write your own bill about something that you think should be a law for the entire country.

Write a bill summary and a rationale. Use the same format as the examples.