Congress Project
Social Studies Lab
Mission: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Congress is a maze of committees, calendars, and closed-door deals. Click through every stop a real bill takes, collect vocabulary badges, and reflect along the way. Finish the mission and unlock your full Congress Project assignment and rubric.
The Bill Has Been Signed Into Law!
You walked a bill through every real stop in Congress and earned 0 XP. Roger salutes you, Agent.
The Congress Project
Create an accurate and realistic representation of how a bill becomes a law. You may use a real bill (see the example link below) or invent a realistic one of your own. Illustrate the specific course your bill takes through the House and the Senate on its way to becoming law.
Team size: Work alone or in a team of up to three and a half people (yes, we said what we said).
Grading: 50% accuracy and correct use of terms, 50% production value.
Choose Your Medium
Required Data Visual
Make a chart, infographic, or graphic organizer that clearly lays out the entire path your bill takes on the way to becoming law. You must demonstrate that you understand these terms by using them correctly, not just listing them.
Use at Least 16 of These 19 Terms
This checklist is for your own planning. Check off a term once your project actually uses it correctly.
Grading Rubric
| Category | What We Are Looking For | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy 50% |
Information is correct and thoroughly explained. At least 16 of the 19 terms are used accurately, not just name-dropped. | / 50 |
| Production 50% |
The project looks good, is creative, and tells a realistic or actual story of a bill from start to finish. | / 50 |
| Total | / 100 | |
Comments:
Research It Like a Pro
- A real bill example: How a genetics bill became law (genome.gov)
- Vote Smart step-by-step guide with glossary
- The official congressional guide (U.S. Government Publishing Office)
- Crash Course Government and Politics #9: How a Bill Becomes a Law
- Office of the Speaker of the House
- Senate Majority and Minority Leaders
Built for AP Government and Politics students by
Social Studies Lab