Structure of Congress

Why have a House and Senate and not just one single Congress? Learners research the need for a bicameral Congress in the system of the United States government and politics. They view a short Crash Course video, the second in a 50-part...

Other than talking, what is the role of the speaker of the House of Representatives? Learners research, via a short video clip, the leadership positions in the United States government and politics. They use their knowledge to discuss...

Resource provides expert tips for reaching your Congress person. Describes the role of Congressmen and women and what they can and can't do for citizens. Site for students and others to better understand Congress.

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.

The ratification process for the Fourteenth Amendment that granted citizenship to everyone male born in the United States was contentious. The video reenacts a portion of the 39th Congressional debates focusing on the ratification of the...

The process of ratifying a new amendment to the United States constitution is designed to be difficult. A short video details the struggles to pass the 19th Amendment, the role Carrie Chapman Catt played in the ratification drive, and...

Getting a bill through the legislative process to become a law in the United States is a very long and difficult procedure by design! To understand the deliberation, debate, and compromises involved, class members take on the role...

Students examine laws that have benefited the nation in a variety of ways. The congressperson in the legislative branch of the government primarily responsible for the passage of the law and the current representatives are sought in this...

Learners take on the roles of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government in the United States and work to develop public policy issues and ideas into laws in this engaging and well-designed online interactive.

Prior to the 17th Amendment, which passed in 1917, Senators were appointed by state legislatures. After the 12th Amendment in 1804, the Vice-Presidents were detached from the Senate and only served to break a tie vote.