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How Does a Bill Become a Law?
Legislative Powers
Levels of Legislatures
Miscellaneous
Amending the U.S. Constitution
100
Senator Barnes has an idea for improving public schools by getting rid of all standardized tests. The first step she must take to make her idea a reality is to...
Introduce a bill to Congress.
100
Which two levels of government are most responsible for public health?
State and local levels of government
100
What are the three levels of government?
National, State, and Local
100
When power is shared between the national government and the state governments, that is called...
Federalism
100
If Senator Larrick wants to amend the U.S. Constitution, what is his goal?
To change the Constitution.
200
The Senate has just voted by a majority to pass Senator Larrick's bill. Now, the House of Representatives has to take a vote as well. If the House passes the bill, the next step is...
Presidential action - sign the bill into law or veto (reject) it.
200
Which level of government is responsible for the military? The President is the Commander-in-Chief, but what is Congress' power in this area?
Congress has the power to declare war.
200
What is the legislature at the national level of government? Is it bicameral? If so, what are the two houses?
U.S. Congress Yes U.S. Senate and House of Representatives
200
All legislatures, regardless of which level of government they are from, have two basic responsibilities. What are they?
Making the laws and approving budgets.
200
First, Senator Barnes would need to introduce her idea. What is the word we use when talking about introducing an idea for a constitutional amendment?
To propose a constitutional amendment.
300
What is a committee and what is it's role in the process of Senator Brown's bill becoming a law?
Committees are small groups of legislators who are experts on certain topics (for example, education or the military).
300
Congress has the power to approve the annual budget for the national level of government. What does this mean?
Congress has the power to say yes or no to how the national government spends its money.
300
What is the legislature at the state (Virginia) level of government? Is it bicameral? If so, what are the two houses?
V.A. General Assembly Yes V.A. Senate and House of Delegates
300
Senator Larrick and Senator Barnes represent the great state of Virginia. Why does Virginia only have two U.S. Senators? How many do other states usually have?
Two U.S. Senators per state with 100 total.
300
When a Constitutional amendment is proposed, it would be done either by the _______________ or at a _______________.
Congress or a constitutional convention.
400
After the Congress has debated a bill on the floor, it goes to a vote. How many votes are needed? What is the term that we use?
To pass a bill, it must have a majority of the votes (50% + 1) in both Houses of Congress.
400
Congress also has the power to bring in more money for the national government. What is the Dr. Cram power we discussed that allows Congress to do so and where does the money usually come from?
Congress has the power to raise revenue from taxes.
400
What is the legislature for the local level of government in Fairfax County? Is it bicameral? If so, what are the two houses?
Board of Supervisors
400
U.S. Representative Brown is the only member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Idaho. Why doesn't he have any friends?
Because states get a number of Representatives based on their population and Idaho has very few people.
400
If a proposal for a constitutional amendment is ratified, what does that mean?
The amendment has been approved.
500
What is the difference between how a bill gets made into a law at the national level and the state level? (Think about the names of the legislatures and who makes the decisions to sign or veto the bills).
At the national level, we have Congress, made up the the Senate and House of Representatives. The President makes the decision to sign or veto. At the state level, we have the General Assembly, made up the the Senate and House of Delegates. The Governor makes the decision to sign or veto.
500
Congress also has the power to make rules about how people and company do business. What is this power?
Congress has the power to regulate trade (commerce) between nations (internationally) and between the states (inter-state).
500
In Fairfax and other counties, there are Boards of Supervisors. In towns and cities, they have legislatures called.... All local legislatures make laws, except, they are called...
Councils Ordinances
500
Local governments in Virginia have power because of the Constitution of ...
Virginia
500
What does it mean if a law is unconstitutional? What can be done about that?
If a law is unconstitutional, that means it goes against the Constitution, and cannot be allowed. However, if you make a constitutional amendment, you are changing the Constitution, and ultimately changing what is allowed.