US National Archives
National Archives: What Congress Does and Why It Matters
Students will analyze primary sources related to Congress to learn the specific powers of the Legislative Branch. Included is a chart to download and print, worksheets, materials, and an answer key. Primary sources to be examined are...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: The Federal Budget and the Constitution
What responsibilities belong to the U.S. President and the Congressional houses when it comes to establishing the federal budget? Take a look at these resources and incorporate this lesson into classroom learning.
iCivics
I Civics: Legislative Branch
Students will learn about the structure, function, and powers of the legislative branch of government. They will explore the legislative process, as well as the influence of citizens and political parties. Register for a free account to...
Indiana University
Center on Congress: Learn About Congress
Learn about the role of the US Congress, how it works, its history, and the principles behind its creation and operation. Wonderful set of resources including FAQs, short articles and video clips, "interactive learning modules" (i.e., a...
Library of Congress
Loc: The u.s. Congress: Resources a to Z
Start your research of the U.S. Congress here! Superb links to any information you may need on history, current profile of Congress, and many other sites.
Other
House of Representatives Judiciary Committee
The website of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee which is responsible for overseeing the administration of justice at the federal level and plays a role in impeachments.
Other
A Republic, if You Can Keep It
An essay by U.S. Congressional Representative Ron Paul of Texas on the state of the American republic delivered at the dawn of the twenty-first century. He argues for the strong separation of powers among the three branches of government...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Little Legislatures
This site from the University of Groningen clearly defines the role of committees in the legislative process, as well as a brief historical perspective on congressional committees. Essays, text and biography links related to American...
Other
Us Congress: Congress, the Court, and the Constitution
Transcript of a congressional hearing, held in 1994, to discuss whether Congress had given too much power to the Supreme Court, against the express intent of the Founding Fathers. This transcript is lengthy but informative, containing...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: How Laws Are Made: The Language of the Law
Learning Adventures from Bensguide summarizes the process of lawmaking outlined in the U.S. Constitution and provides links to a glossary of legislative terms and Congressional Resolution from 2003.
Cornell University
Cornell University: Law School: United States v. Lopez (1995)
Presents the complete syllabus for the landmark Supreme Court case of United States v. Lopez. This case dealt with limits to Congress's power under the Commerce Clause.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: United States v. Lopez (1995)
PBS features details on the landmark Supreme Court case of United States v. Lopez which set limits to Congress's power under the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution.
US House of Representatives
Committee on Education and the Workforce
Check out the latest news with the Committee on Education and the Workforce. John Boehner outlines the committee step by step. The members and jurisdiction they hold are reviewed through this site.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: Sixteenth Amendment
Text of the 16th Amendment accompanied by an explanation. Site includes links to related resources.
Digital History
Digital History: Completing a Final Draft
Read about the committee that produced a final draft of the Constitution to present to the entire Constitutional Convention. Find out what the delegates to the convention kept in the final draft and what they changed.
Cynthia J. O'Hora
Mrs. O's House: Government Travel and Staffers
Who should pay for politicians traveling before it violates ethical codes of abuse of power? Legislators and their staff were offered and accepted millions of dollars worth of free trips. This lesson plan explores the ethics of our...
New York Times
New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: u.s. Congress
The New York Times Learning Network has developed many interactive & printable crossword puzzles. This one is on the U.S. Congress.
Other
U.s. House of Representatives: Appropriations Committee
This site is a listing of the Committees and Subcommittees on Appropriations from the House of Representatives 108th Congress.
PBS
Structure of Congress and the Legislative Process Lesson
This lesson explores the structure of Congress and the legislative process. There is an introduction, a research activity, an assessment, and a role play activity.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Ii: Recess Appointments
Explains Clause 3 of Article II, Vacancies during Recess of Senate. It outlines various situations where a vacancy may occur and what rules are in place to deal with it.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Eleventh Amendment
This resource gives the text of the Eleventh Amendment. Additionally, annotations are provided, which cite case law and other pertinent information.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: Freedom's Story: The Civil Rights Movement: 1968 2008
An excellent essay from the National Humanities Center that explores the civil rights movement after the groundbreaking legislation in the 1960s. It looks at how the civil rights movement has transitioned in the last part of the 20th and...
Other
Encyclopedia of Arkansas: Redeemers (Post Reconstruction)
Read about the so-called Redeemers, whose actions returned the Democratic Party to power in the southern states at the end of Reconstruction. Find out how they rolled back the legislation put into effect by the Republicans as a result of...
Other
Common Sense Americanism: Schenck v. United States
This summary provides the background for Schenck v. United States, a World War I-era Supreme Court case involving free speech. Schenck is an example of what can happen to basic constitutional rights in time of war.