Section 3.1: Public Policy & How a Bill Becomes a Law

What is Public Policy?

Laws/Principles made by a society and its government.

Why does Public Policy change over time?

​Evolving technology and beliefs in society encourage change.

​Bill: Proposed law under consideration of a legislature.





Law = Legislation

Senator/House Member = Legislator

Dropdown

Before it is passed by Congress, a proposed (potential) law is known as a​

Select answer

. The formal term for a passed law is​

Select answer

. Each elected representative who votes on a law is known as a​

Select answer

.

Steps to Becoming a Law

Step 1: Every Law Starts with an Idea

Anyone can come up with an Idea
(Contact Your Representative in Congress)

Steps to Becoming a Law

Step 2: The Bill is Introduced

Most bills can start in either house
It must be introduced by a "Sponsor"
(Sponsor = Member of Congress)
In the House -> bills go in the "Hopper"

Steps to Becoming a Law

Step 3: The Bill Goes to a Committee

Congress meets in small groups
(Review, Research, and Revise the bill)
The committee has to approve the bill

Steps to Becoming a Law

Step 4: Congress Debates and Votes

Requires a Majority Vote in each house
(Both must agree to identical versions)
House = Electronic vs. Senate = Voice

Steps to Becoming a Law

Step 5: Presidential Action

The President can approve the bill -> law
The President can Veto (Reject) the bill
The President can do nothing -> law

Reorder

Put the following steps for a bill to become a law in the correct order:

• Someone has an idea.

• The bill is introduced.

• The bill goes to committee.

• Congress debates and votes.

• Presidential action.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Why would a Senator use a "Filibuster"?

​Keep the floor to prevent a vote on a bill/nomination.

Goal: "Talk a Bill to Death" (Only in the Senate)

It can be ended by a 3/5 Senate vote called "Cloture".

Drag and Drop

If a member of Congress tries to "Talk a Bill to Death", it is known as a ​

Placeholder

; however, this is only possible in the ​

Placeholder

. A Filibuster can be overruled with a 3/5 majority known as ​

Placeholder

.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Filibuster

Senate

House of Representatives

Cloture

Legislation

Explain the Purpose of a Conference Committee:

Needed when the House/Senate passes different versions of a bill.
This Joint Committee (Senate + House) can create a compromise version of the bill.

Multiple Choice

What do you call a joint committee formed between members of the House of Representatives and the Senate?

• Special Committee

• Conference Committee

• United Committee

• Legislation Committee

​Process for Selecting a House Committee Chairperson:

The Majority Party chooses an experienced member.

Explain the Purpose of Interest Groups:

An organization that pressures elected officials to pass laws.

They encourage laws favorable to their cause.

Popular Type of Linkage Institution (Connect People/Govt.)

Dropdown

Any organization that pressures legislators into passing laws is known as a(n) ​

Select answer

. These groups of people attempt to get laws passed that are ​

Select answer

their specific cause. Interest groups connect the people and the government. This makes them a ​

Select answer

.

What role do Lobbyists play in relation to Special Interest Groups?

Hired by Special Interest groups to influence public policy.


Get their name from waiting outside the Legislative Chamber.


Meet w/ Lawmakers outside of Congress (Put Pressure on Them)

How do politicians and interest groups measure public opinion?

Public Polling (Sampling Error of Less Than 5%)

Benchmark (Before), Tracking (Multi-Step), & Exit (After) Polls

Match

Match the different types of public polling to the correct definition:

• Benchmark

• Tracking

• Exit

Taken Before Voting

Taken at Multiple Different Intervals

Taken After Voting

• Taken Before Voting

• Taken at Multiple Different Intervals

• Taken After Voting

Fewer than 10% of Bills Become Laws.

Most Bills Die in Committee.

Multiple Choice

Most bills pass through the 5-Step process and become laws.

• True

• False