Passing Comprehensive
Immigration Reform

Abstract

This activity, “Passing Comprehensive Immigration Reform,” simulates the legislative process in the US House of Representatives using comprehensive immigration reform as an example. You will assume the role of a bill sponsor, shepherding your legislation through the law-making process. In this capacity, you will

  1. enlist co-sponsors,
  2. draft the bill,
  3. "horse trade" to gain support, and
  4. count final votes on the House and Senate floors.
Learning Goals

After reading your text and completing this exercise, you will be able to:

  • understand and describe how a bill becomes a law,
  • understand and describe how the US House of Representatives organizes itself and conducts business, and
  • differentiate between policy and political aspects of law-making.