From Idea to Law: Understanding the Legislative Process

Questions: 5

Grade: 8

Words: 204

Text

Text & Questions

Text, Questions & Answers

Long before a law is written down in a legal document, it begins as a simple idea. This idea may come from a legislator, a group of citizens, or even a single person who has noticed a problem that needs fixing. The idea is then drafted into a bill by a legislator. Once the bill is written, it is introduced to the House of Representatives or the Senate. There, it is studied by a committee who decide if the bill should move forward. If the bill passes the scrutiny of the committee, it moves to the floor of the House or Senate, where all members can discuss, amend, and vote on it. If the bill is passed by one house, it must also be passed by the other before it can become law. This ensures that the bill has broad support among the legislators. Finally, the bill is sent to the President, who can sign it into law or veto it. In the legislative process, each participant plays a crucial role. Legislators draft and introduce bills, committees scrutinize them, the House and Senate vote on them, and the President signs them into law. Understanding this process is key to understanding how our government works.

Question 1

What does 'legislator' mean as used in the text?

Person who votes for laws

Person who writes bills

Explanation. In context, a legislator is someone who drafts or writes bills.

Person who scrutinizes bills

Person who vetoes laws

Person who passes laws

Question 2

What is the purpose of the committee in the legislative process?

To veto the bill

To sign the bill into law

To scrutinize the bill

Explanation. The text states that the committee's role is to study and decide if a bill should move forward.

To introduce the bill

To pass the bill

Question 3

What happens if a bill is passed by one house only?

It becomes law immediately

It must also be passed by the other house

Explanation. The text states that for a bill to become law, it must be passed by both houses.

It is sent to the President for signing

It is vetoed

It is discarded

Question 4

Why is it important for a bill to have broad support among legislators?

To ensure it is not vetoed by the President

To ensure it becomes law immediately

To ensure it is scrutinized by the committee

To ensure it is passed by both houses

Explanation. Broad support among legislators helps ensure the bill passes through both houses, which is necessary for it to become law.

None of the above

Question 5

Who has the final say in the legislative process?

The committee

The House of Representatives

The Senate

The legislator

The President

Explanation. The text states that after a bill passes through both houses, it is sent to the President who has the power to either sign it into law or veto it.