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LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON
THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS ROLE PLAY AND EVALUATION
Johnson signed more legislation into lawthan any other president. This lesson focuses on the legislative process of how a bill
becomes a law. In small groups, review the Committee Briefing on the next page. Then write your bill on a separate piece of paper.
Briefing
The rise of the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s raised many new issues for America, and one of the biggest is a citizen’s
right to privacy in an online world. After 9/11, legislation was passed that many claimed allows the government to violate that right
in an attempt to protect its citizens. Revelations by whistleblowers like Edward Snowden have given the public new insight into the
government’s ability to monitor online activity.
Imagine you are a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, you will be addressing the issue of internet privacy. Should
the government have the right to monitor its citizens’ use of the internet? How far should that right extend? Should oversight of
such a program come from within the federal government, and if so, which branch or agency? How should your chosen policy be
implemented? Answer the following questions in a group and use them to guide your research.
1. Where is a citizen’s right to privacy defined in the Constitution? Are there specific guarantees?
2. What do you see as the three most important questions about internet privacy? Write down your questions and then
research your answers.
3. List three arguments for why the federal government should be allowed to monitor your online activity.
4. List three arguments for why the federal government should not be allowed to monitor your online activity.
5. Based on your research, list three elements you would like to see included in a bill about internet privacy, and briefly
summarize why you think each element is important. Which of these points are you most passionate about?
Which are you least passionate about?
Writing Your Bill
Your bill should consist of two parts: a Preamble and a Body. The Preamble should provide the reasoning for your bill – why should
the government address your issue? What are the problems your bill is seeking to improve? The Body of your bill is where you list
the provisions your committee decided on. Your bill should include at least 3-5 provisions; the issues you have been researching are
complex, and should not be reduced to a simple “yes” or “no” vote. It’s not enough to simply declare something legal or illegal – your
bill should address the implementation of your solution as well.
Post Bill Writing Discussion Questions
1. Explain why you would vote yes or no on this bill. Which factors would you weigh in your decision? Do these factors apply
when real Congressmen consider legislation?
2. What are some factors that Congressmen must consider that didn’t come into play in this activity?
3. What compelling arguments would you use to present your bill to a committee? What would be a less compelling argument?
4. Describe your experience working with your committee. Did you find it easy for your group to work together to decide on a bill?
Why or why not? Do you think these reasons apply to Congressmen from different parties attempting to work together?
Why or why not?
5. What do you see as the single biggest obstacle that keeps members of different parties from working together? Can you think
of a way around this problem?
The Legislative Process Activity courtesy of:
Sources for Teachers Guide
