1 the lawmaking process part i

Unit VI Lesson 1The Lawmaking Process Part I

Essential Question:• What are the institutions and

policy-making processes of the national government?

• What are the links between

the branches of the national government, political parties, interest groups, public opinion, the media, and state and local governments?

“Congress”“Congress”

Unit III

“The Legislative Process”

“Revenue Bills”

Step 1: A bill is introduced by its “sponsor” by placing it in the “hopper”

“Sponsor”

Hopper

Lawmaker who introduces a bill

1,000 Pages!!!

“Congressional Staff”

“Presidential Staff”

“Concerned Citizens”

But Who Writes MOST

Congressional Bills?

Special Interest Groups- Organizations with a common cause who attempt to influence public policy by applying pressure on

lawmakers

Ways special interest groups influence lawmakers and public policy:

*Direct Lobbying (Meeting with Lawmakers)

“Lobbyist”

*Propaganda (Political Ads)

“Obamacare”“Special Interest

Group”

*Political Endorsements (Support for candidates whose

views align with their own)

“Endorse”

“Special Interest Group”

And the Big One…

Sen. John Cornyn R-Texas

$3.2 Million

*Political Donations

(Through PACs)

With the exception of revenue bills legislation can be introduced in Congress

by:

A. Only members of the majority party

B. Any member of Congress

C. Committee chairmen only

D. Members of the president’s staff

Which of the following statements best represents the MAIN function of special

interest groups?

A. They eventually want to end up as political office holders themselves

B. They seek to promote liberal causes

C.They provide funds for candidates running for office for the first time

D. They want to influence officeholders and achieve their legislative goals

Which of the following groups most frequently benefits from donations from

special interest groups?

A. Charitable organizations

B. Federal judges

C. Incumbents running for reelection

D. Research institutes

Interest groups are likely to use all of the following tactics to influence public policy

EXCEPT:

A. Using the media and political advertisements to bring attention to the group’s cause

B. Financially supporting a political candidate who’s views align with their own

C. Lobbying a congressman to support a bill that benefits the group

D. Creating a new political party to challenge incumbent politicians

Homework!!!

Textbook Pages: 222-248

Graphic Novel Pages: (None)