Congress and How Laws Are Made
Aligned to C3.D2.Civ.3 — C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
What this lesson teaches
Congress is bicameral, meaning it has two chambers: the House of Representatives, apportioned by state population, and the Senate, with two members per state. Most of the detailed work happens in standing committees, which hold hearings, amend bills, and decide what reaches a floor vote. A bill must pass both chambers in identical form and then be signed by the President, or have a veto overridden, before it becomes law.
Worked example
The Affordable Care Act of 2010 began as separate House and Senate bills, was reworked through committees, and became law only after both chambers passed a reconciled version that the President signed.
Practice questions
- State how membership in the House and the Senate is determined.
- Explain the role committees play before a bill reaches a full floor vote.
- Analyze why requiring passage by two separate chambers slows down lawmaking.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
El Congreso y cómo se hacen las leyes
El Congreso es bicameral, es decir, tiene dos cámaras: la Cámara de Representantes, repartida según la población de cada estado, y el Senado, con dos miembros por estado. Gran parte del trabajo detallado ocurre en los comités permanentes, que celebran audiencias, enmiendan proyectos de ley y deciden qué llega a votación en el pleno. Un proyecto debe aprobarse en ambas cámaras con el mismo texto y luego ser firmado por el Presidente, o superar un veto, antes de convertirse en ley.
Ejemplo: La Ley de Cuidado de Salud Asequible de 2010 comenzó como proyectos separados en la Cámara y el Senado, se rehizo en comités y se convirtió en ley solo después de que ambas cámaras aprobaron una versión conciliada que el Presidente firmó.
More Civics lessons
Teach this lesson today
An AI tutor that guides with questions instead of just giving answers — all K–12 core subjects, every child in the family.
Start free — no card required