What happens next?
A citizen has an idea for a new law, but no one in Congress has introduced it yet. At this point, it is still only this.
What is an idea or proposal?
Your neighborhood park has broken playground equipment and trash overflowing. This level of government is usually the best first contact.
What is local government?
The President rejects a bill passed by Congress. This is the power being used.
What is a veto?
Students peacefully gather outside city hall with signs asking for safer roads. This is an example of this First Amendment right.
What is the right to peacefully assemble or protest?
Laws take time because they can affect many people, not just the people who first suggested them. This is one reason lawmakers need to do this before voting.
What is read, understand, discuss, or debate the bill?
A bill passes the House of Representatives. Before it can go to the President, it must also pass this group.
What is the Senate?
You need a driver's license or state ID in Kentucky. This level of government handles that.
What is state government?
The Senate votes on whether to approve someone the President nominated for an important federal job. This shows that the President does not have this.
What is total power to appoint officials alone?
A citizen writes a respectful email asking an elected official to support a community project. This is an example of this First Amendment right.
What is the right to petition the government?
A bill sounds popular, but know one knows how much it will cost. Before passing it, lawmakers should figure out this.
What is how it will be paid for?
The House and Senate pass the same bill, and the President signs it. This is what the bill becomes.
What is a law?
Your family needs a passport for international travel. This level of government handles that.
What is the federal government?
The Supreme Court says a law violates the Constitution. This shows that the court can check this branch.
What is the Legislative Branch or Congress?
A newspaper reports criticism of a government decision. This is protected by this freedom.
What is freedom of the press?
A bill might help one group but create problems for another group. This is why lawmakers often add exceptions or changes called this.
What are amendments?
The President vetoes a bill, but Congress still strongly supports it. This is what Congress can try to do next.
What is override the veto?
Your school district is considering a new school calendar, and families want to speak about it. This local group is the best place to start.
What is the local school board?
Congress can investigate government actions, approve spending, and impeach officials. These are ways Congress can check this branch.
A committee studies a bill and finds that the wording is unclear. This is why committees are important before a full vote.
What is they help review, improve, or stop bills before the full chamber votes?
The House passes one version of a bill, and the Senate passes a different version. This must happen before the bill can go to the President.
What is both chambers must agree on the same version?
A road problem could be handled by a city, county, state, or federal government depending on this.
What is who owns or maintains the road?
No branch can make laws, enforce laws, and interpret laws all by itself. This is the main reason the Constitution divides power.
What is to prevent one branch from becoming to powerful?
A person accused of a crime still has rights because the government must follow fair legal steps before punishing them. This is the basic idea.
What is due process or fair treatment under the law?
A bill fails even though many people like the goal, because the House, Senate, and President cannot agree on the details. This shows that lawmaking requires this.
What is compromise?