Congress has two parts (chambers). What are they, and what is the difference between them?

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Congress has two parts (chambers). What are they, and what is the difference between them?

For this Assignment, make certain to first read your textbook chapter on Congress.  You may also want to review the legislative process  (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.(U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.). There are also a number of supplemental resources listed in the Materials/Reading.

Then, complete the learning activity:
Simulation:  LawCraft (iCivics)  (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Want to make some laws? You can in LawCraft, where you play a member of Congress from the state of your choice. You’ll pick an issue that’s important to you and your constituents and take it all the way through the law-making process. If you’re successful, you’ll have a bill you can print and show off. See if you can make the compromises necessary to get your bill passed and still make a law you’re proud of!

Click here for the Student handoutsPreview the documentView in a new window provided for this simulation.  It is not necessary to print any of these documents unless you wish to do so.  You may also save these documents to your computer for reference.
Consider:
Congress has two parts (chambers). What are they, and what is the difference between them?
What is a bill?
What power does the president have in the lawmaking process?
What mechanism(s) are in place for the chambers of the legislature and executive to compromise on legislation?

And if you are successful, you also earn a personalized certificate, as below!

LawCraft Certificate Example.jpg

After completing the interactive simulation, submit answers to the following questions. 
Your answers should be well developed in two to three complete paragraphs.  College level writing is expected. 

  • What chamber (House or Senate) and issue did you choose to craft legislation about?
  • What was your goal in your chamber of Congress, before the compromise process?
  • Why do you think the compromise process involves adding so many amendments?
  • Was it difficult to stick with your chosen value? Did you have to add an amendment that did not support your value? (i.e., Did YOU have to compromise?)
  • Why might the president veto a bill?
  • What do you think could happen if there was no compromise process? No veto power?

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