Introduction
In this chapter students learned about the process by which a bill becomes a law, the power of Congress to raise and spend money, and how members of Congress help voters in their states or districts. They also learned about the many factors that influence lawmakers—political parties, the president, interest groups and, perhaps most importantly, the individual voter. In this activity students will learn more about the legislative process in the House of Representatives.

Lesson Description
Students will visit the House of Representatives Web site to learn about different aspects of the legislative process of introducing a bill into law. They will learn about different ways of how the work of Congress is initiated and the roles of members of Congress in the legislative process. Students will then write about a bill that is currently under consideration.

Instructional Objectives

1. Students will be able to identify four examples of how the work of Congress is initiated.
2. Students will be able to explain one of the most important phases of the legislative process concerning proposed bills.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. The work of Congress is initiated by the introduction of a proposal in one of four principal forms: the bill, the joint resolution, the concurrent resolution, and the simple resolution.
2. The Speaker of the House refers each bill to the appropriate committee for action.
3. One of the most important phases of the legislative process is the action by committees. The committees provide the most intensive consideration to a proposed measure as well as the forum where the public is given the opportunity to be heard.
4. If the Senate changes the wording of a bill by the House, the measure is sent back for approval to the House. Continuing differences are resolved in a conference committee that outlines the final version of the bill.
5. Students' letters will vary.