Kids in the House

Most laws in the United States begin as bills. A bill begins with an idea. That idea can come from anyone—including you!

The idea is sent to Congress, where a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives researches the idea and writes a bill.

Once the bill is written, it is placed in the hopper, and introduced to the rest of the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Members debate the bill, then vote on whether it should become a law or not using the electronic voting system.

After the bill has passed in the House, it is sent to the U.S. Senate. The Members of the Senate debate and vote on the bill. If the bill passes, it is sent to the President of the United States for approval.

Once the President signs the bill, it is a law. Now that the bill has become a law, it is a rule that all Americans must follow.

You can help A. Bill find his way through Washington, D.C. from the Capitol to the White House by having a grown-up print out the A. Bill Maze.