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SOL CE.7a
The Lawmaking Process |
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How do the Virginia
General Assembly
and the United States Congress
make laws?
Terms to know:
• Bicameral: Having
two houses (e.g., the
Senate and the House of Representatives)
The Virginia General Assembly and the United States
Congress are
bicameral legislatures.
Legislative powers
• Expressed (specifically listed)
• Implied (used to carry out expressed powers)
Officials who are elected to serve in the
state and national legislatures make laws.
The lawmaking process in national and state
legislatures:
• Working in committees
• Debating on the floor
• Voting on a bill by both houses
• Signing the bill into law by the President or
governor
Elected officials write laws and take action in response to problems or
issues.
Individuals and interest groups help shape
legislation. |
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STANDARD CE.7b
The Executive Branch |
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What are the roles
and powers of the executive branch
at the state and national level?
The powers of the executive branch are
defined in the Constitution and the Constitution of Virginia.
The executive branch at the state and national levels
carries out the law.
Ways the executive branch influences policymaking:
• Proposing legislation in an annual speech to
the legislature (State of the Commonwealth or State of the Union Address)
• Appealing directly to the people
• Approving or vetoing legislation
• Appointing officials who carry out the laws
Cabinet departments, agencies, and regulatory groups
interpret and help with carrying out laws. |
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STANDARD CE.7c
Impact of the Media |
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What influence does
the media
have on public policy and policymakers?
The media informs
policymakers and influences public policy.
Ways media play an important role in
setting the public agenda:
• Focusing public
attention on selected issues
• Offering a forum in which opposing viewpoints
are communicated
• Holding government officials accountable to
the public
Government officials use the media to
communicate
with the public. |
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STANDARD CE.7d
Individuals and Interests Groups Influence Public Policy |
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How do
individuals and interest
groups
influence policymakers?
Individuals and interest groups influence public policy.
Terms to know:
Lobbying: Seeking to influence
legislators to introduce or vote for or against a bill
Ways individuals influence public policy:
• Participating in politics (voting,
campaigning)
• Expressing opinions (lobbying, demonstrating,
writing letters)
• Joining interest groups
Ways interest groups influence public policy:
• Identifying issues
• Making political contributions
• Lobbying government officials |