How Committees Shape Laws: The Journey of a Bill

The video explains the role of committees in the legislative process of the U.S. Congress. It details how both the House of Representatives and the Senate use committees to review bills, make amendments, and decide whether bills should proceed. The process involves assigning bills to relevant committees, which act as gatekeepers. The video also covers the options committees have, such as approving, amending, or rejecting bills. It further explains the journey of a bill from the House to the Senate, highlighting the importance of committee decisions and the voting process in both chambers. The video concludes with a review and quiz questions to reinforce learning.

How many committees are there in the Senate?

• 5

• 17

• 21

• More than 30

What is the primary role of committees in the legislative process?

• To enforce laws

• To represent the public

• To act as gatekeepers for bills

• To draft new laws

What is the term used for changes made to a bill by a committee?

• Extras

• Markups

• Comments

• Reviews

Which of the following is NOT an option for a committee when reviewing a bill?

• Send the bill directly to the President

• Ignore the bill

• Amend the bill

• Approve the bill

After a bill is approved by the House of Representatives, where does it go next?

• The President

• The Supreme Court

• The Public

• The Senate

What happens if the Senate makes changes to a bill?

• The bill is sent back to the House for approval

• The bill is discarded

• The bill is sent to the President

• The bill becomes law

Why must both houses of Congress vote on the exact same bill?

• To speed up the legislative process

• To reduce the workload of the President

• To ensure consistency in the law

• To allow for public input