How does a bill become a law?
Pierce Downer fourth, fifth and sixth graders learned the answer this Thursday from an expert: U.S. Congressman Peter Roskam.
Congressman Roskam got the entire student body involved in this learning exercise. He asked a volunteer to propose a good idea for a law. One student, Gavin, suggested that the United States abolish taxes. Congressman Roskam created a mock House of Representatives (HR) bill and invited students to argue the pros and cons of abolishing taxes: We’d have more money for our families, they said. More people can buy a house! No more school! But… there’d be no more school and no more public learning, the refuters pointed out. No more road maintenance. No more military, police and firefighters.
Congressman Roskam demonstrated how an HR bill becomes a Senate bill and how it can get passed. He described the power of a president’s veto and steps that must be taken to overturn a veto. The students listened intently, absorbing the information.
Congressman Roskam concluded his presentation inviting the students to ask questions. Many inciteful questions were raised: What if someone doesn’t like a law? Do congressmen pay taxes? Can a regular person become a congressman or congresswoman?
“Wow, great question! I’ve never been asked that before,” Congressman Roskam said regarding the latter question. “Yes, any of you can one day become a member of Congress. Study the Constitution and government and keep working hard in school!”