Bill to Law Simulation Day 1 To truly understand the complicated and arduous process of creating a law in our government, one must experience it. Together with the rest of the class and Mr. Navarria, you will brainstorm, write, debate, and hopefully pass a bill. Today, you will act as an interest group where you will come up with an idea that you believe should become a law. You will then discuss your ideas within a group and draft a bill. By the end of class, each group should have produced one bill to hand in. These bills will later go through the entire legislative process, just as in Washington D.C. Step 1-Come up with an idea The first step is to create a bill. What is your idea? Have you ever felt that something isn t quite right in society? Have you ever said If I were leader I would change society so that? Well, this is your big chance to make those policies. To avoid creating similar bills, we will designate your group one of the following topics (to be given out randomly by Mr. N). You must carefully read and understand your issue (feel free to ask Mr. N additional questions). Then discuss your feelings and stance on the issue with your group. Figure out how you would want to change the current laws and policies to suite your taste. Your will be assigned one of the following topics: 1. Immigration- anyone who enters the United States illegally without going through the Immigration and Naturalization process, is considered to be an illegal immigrant. Even someone who has remained in the country for 20 years illegally is no less an illegal immigrant than a person who came into the U.S. illegally yesterday. Who should be allowed in the country? What should be done about the current illegal immigrants in the United States? What about the children of illegal immigrants? Should people who look like illegal immigrants be asked for their identification (as in Arizona)? Write a law pertaining to these issues. 2. Abortion- The current abortion laws in the United States vary from state to state. In New York, abortions are permitted up to 6 months into pregnancy. How would you change the abortion laws? Should anyone, at any age be allowed to have an abortion? Under what specific circumstances should someone be able to have an abortion? Should states have the ability to determine abortion laws? Write a law pertaining to these issues. 3. National Health Care (Obamacare)- Congress has recently passed the Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare. This highly controversial plan aims to make Health Care more affordable and protect people from high insurance company increases. Everyone is now required to buy a Health Care Plan (in order to keep the price down) because everyone will eventually get sick and need medical help. Do you believe the government should require people to have health care? Should it be left to the consumer to decide? Should the government penalize (fine) people if they don t have health coverage? Write a law pertaining to these issues. 4. Same Sex Marriage- Current marriage laws of couples of the same sex vary from state to state. There are currently Thirteen States where it is legal to marry someone of the same sex (New York is one of them). Marriage allows a husband or wife to receive any legal benefits offered to a spouse (such as medical benefits, inheritance, or the ability to decide if a spouse should live or die if they are critically injured or brain-dead). How would you change the current marriage laws? Should couple of the same sex be allowed to marry all across the nation? Should it be up to the state? What about adoption of a child? Write a law pertaining to these issues. 5. Women in military combat- In 1994 the United States banned women from serving in combat (active battlefield fighting). The law said that only men could fight on the battlefield and that women would only be able to perform certain support services related to battle. In 2013, the restriction on women in combat was removed and within a few years, women will be performing the same exact roles as men in heavy battlefield combat. Should women be able to fight as men in war? Should there be restrictions on their service? Write a law pertaining to these issues. 6. No Child Left Behind (Education)- In 2001, President George Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act. This new law expanded the role of the Federal Government in Education. It required schools all across the country to begin intensive testing (assessment) to prove that all students are learning. Through the exams, States would have to prove that they are successfully teaching their students. If they do not meet the requirements, the Federal Government will provide them with no money for education. Should the federal government have a role in education? Is that the States job? Does testing ensure that students are learning? Does this lead to better education? Is it wise to remove money for the states that don t meet the performance standards set by the Federal Government? Write a law pertaining to these issues. 7. Gun Control- Gun control laws currently vary from state to state. The second Amendment of the Constitution clearly states that Americans have the right to bear arms. Should this law be changed? Should the Federal government make laws to limit or control guns in throughout the nation? Should everyone be allowed to carry a gun in every state? Only some states? Write a law pertaining to these issues. 8. Marijuana Laws- Marijuana Laws currently vary from state to state. Colorado and Washington State recently legalized marijuana for recreational use as of January 1 st, 2014. In other states, such as Texas and Oklahoma, a person found carrying marijuana can spend up to 180 days in jail, even on their first conviction. In other states, marijuana is legal for medical use. Proponents argue that marijuana has many healing benefits and can treat glaucoma (eye disorder) and even cancer. The Federal Government still considers marijuana a dangerous and illegal substance and sometimes holds states accountable for marijuana distribution and production (even for medical usage). Should the Federal government change their policy toward marijuana? Should there be a national marijuana law? Write a law pertaining to these issues.
Your idea must be reasonable and realistic. If it isn t, later on it may be voted against by your fellow Congressional leaders (either in your house or the other). If it makes it past the house, it may be then vetoed by the President (Mr. Navarria- PS- I love to veto bills!!!!!). Make it realistic so there is a good chance it will pass! Directions: Write a rough draft of your idea here (do this on your own). You will later discuss your idea with your group and pick ONLY ONE of the proposed ideas to write as a bill. Each group must have one bill. My idea for a bill: Step 2- Write the bill Discuss your ideas with your group. Together pick only one of the ideas proposed. This idea will become the bill that you will hope to pass and become law. Once you know which bill you want to write, you can begin to write the bill on the separate sheet provided. The more intelligent and realistic your bill, the better the chance that it will pass and become a law. Each group must write ONE BILL ON THE SHEET PROVIDED. Your bill must have the following: 1. A title- The title should connect to the topic/issue that the Bill addresses. 2. The place of origin- write either Senate or House of Representatives 3. Names of the members who proposed the bill (first and last names). 4. A summary of the main point of the bill 5. Define any complicated words or vocabulary- for example, by Health Care we mean insurance that a person buys in order to cover their medical costs in times of need. 6. Explain the purpose of the bill- what is this idea intended to accomplish? 7. Any exceptions to the bill- explain if there are times or situations where the bill does not apply. Remember that this is only the beginning of the bill. It still has a long path to becoming a law. Next class we will send your bill to other members of Congress where it will undergo changes, be debated, and possibly be killed or vetoed. Will it become law? We will see next class!
Write your Bill- Day 1 Title of the bill Place of origin Congress members who proposed the bill: Bill summary: _ Definition of complicated words or vocabulary: 6. Explain the purpose of the bill: 7. Any exceptions to the bill: _ Signature of the House Signature of the House Signature of the President
Committee Review- Day 2 a) Subcommittee- We have made the following changes/additions to the bill: b) Full Committee- We have reviewed the bill and consider it to be reasonable for further consideration: (check one) YES NO ( no will mean that the bill is dead) Explanation: c) Rules Committee- We have created the following rules to be followed (during the debate): Time limit for each speaker: minutes Filibuster allowed? YES NO Important aspects of the bill that should be discussed: _ d) Conference Committee- We have met with members from the other House of Congress. They have reviewed this bill and believe it will pass their House: YES NO (see below if you checked no) In order for the bill to pass they have suggested that we change the following: _