Learn About the Legislative Process

Booklets

Enactment of a Law – Essay to aid understanding of legislative branch powers and procedures, including responsibilities beyond the enactment of legislation. (28 pages, web-friendly and PDF versions)

The Federalist Papers – Full Text of The Federalist, commonly referred to as the Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison between October 1787 and May 1788.

How Our Laws Are Made – Essay to aid understanding of the legislative process. (67 pages, web-friendly and PDF versions)

Our American Government – A popular introductory guide for American citizens and those of other countries who seek a greater understanding of our heritage of democracy. The question-and-answer format covers a broad range of topics dealing with the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of our Government as well as the electoral process and the role of political parties. (132 pages, PDF)

Educational Videos

The Legislative Process – Video, audio, and transcript explaining the common stages of the legislative process, and that the process by which a bill becomes law is rarely predictable. (Approximately 30 minutes total in nine separate videos)

Research Guides

Legislative Process Glossary – Brief explanations of legislative terms used throughout Congress.gov.

The Legislative Process (House of Representatives)

Learning About the Legislative Process (Senate)

Kids in the House (House of Representatives) – provides educational and entertaining information about the legislative branch of the United States Government to students of all ages.

Resources for Teachers – lesson plans about government, law,  politics and more