SOL 6c Making Laws at the National Level

The Legislative Power

Making Laws at the National Level

The Legislative Power

The voters elect officials to serve in Congress, our national legislature, on our behalf to make the laws for us. Congress has a number of expressed and implied legislative powers. Expressed legislative powers are those powers specifically listed in the Constitution of the United States. Implied legislative powers are those not listed, used to carry out expressed powers. 

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of Congress?

• To elect officials

• To make laws

• To serve in the national legislature

• To exercise legislative powers

Multiple Choice

Expressed legislative powers are those powers ___ ___ in the Constitution of the United States.

• vaguely mentioned
• implicitly implied
• completely ignored
• specifically listed

Multiple Choice

Implied legislative powers are those ___ ___used to carry out expressed powers.

• not listed

• listed

• written down

• super powers

Congress: National Legislature

Trivia: Congress is responsible for making laws and exercising legislative powers. It serves as the national legislature, representing the people and their interests. Members of Congress are elected officials who play a crucial role in shaping the country's policies and governance. Fun Fact: The United States Congress is composed of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Multiple Choice

Congress is responsible for ___ ___ and exercising legislative powers.

• enforcing laws
• making laws
• interpreting laws
• reviewing laws

Multiple Choice

The United States Congress is composed of two chambers: ___ and ___

• Parliament and Senate
• Congress and Parliament
• House of Commons and House of Lords
• House of Representatives and Senate

Voting in Both Houses

Trivia: In the legislative process, bills are sent to the other house to be voted on. This step ensures that both houses have a say in the decision-making process. It promotes checks and balances and ensures that laws are thoroughly reviewed and debated. Fun Fact: This step can sometimes lead to compromises and amendments to the bill before it becomes a law.

Multiple Choice

In the legislative process, bills are sent to the other house to be voted on. This step ensures that ___ ___ have a say in the decision-making process.

• only the House of Representatives
• only the President
• only the Senate
• both houses

The Lawmaking Process

1. Bill introduced in either house 2. Referred to committee for review 3. Debated on the floor 4. Sent to the other house 5. Voted on by both houses 6. Sent to the President for approval

Multiple Choice

Which step in the legislative process involves sending the bill to the other house?

• Bill introduced in either house

• Referred to committee for review

• Debated on the floor

• Voted on by both houses

Multiple Choice

What is the final step in the legislative process?

• the bill is sent to the President

• Committee review
• Introduction of the bill
• debate the bill

Citizens

Citizens have the power to impact public policy through direct participation and simulations. They can voice their opinions, join interest groups, and engage in activities like lobbying and protesting. By actively participating in the democratic process, citizens can shape the policies that affect their lives and communities.

Multiple Select

How can citizens impact public policy?

• voice their opinions,

• join interest groups,

• engage in activities like lobbying

• engage in activities like protesting.

Multiple Choice

Citizens have the power to impact public policy through direct ____ and ____.

• protest and advocacy
• voting and lobbying
• participation, simulation

• donations and campaigning

Multiple Choice

By ___ ___ in the democratic process, citizens can shape the policies that affect their lives and communities.

• actively participating

• ignoring completely
• voting passively
• observing silently

Multiple Choice

Can citizens can shape the policies that affect their lives and communities?

• No
• Only in certain situations
• Yes
• Sometimes

The Legislative Power

Senators and Representatives write laws and take action in response to problems or issues that affect their voters. Individuals or interest groups may help shape how the bill is written and influence public policy. Citizens can impact public policy through direct participation and simulations.

Multiple Choice

Why do Senators and Representatives write laws ?

• to take action in response to problems or issues that affect their voters.

• To write poetry about their favorite foods
• To plan vacations for their constituents
• To design new uniforms for the military

Multiple Choice

Who may help shape how the bill is written?

• Individuals or interest groups

• Congress

• President

• Mayor

Multiple Choice

Who can impact public policy through direct participation and simulations?

• Senators and Representatives

• Individuals or interest groups

• Citizens

• The Legislative Power