Congress is at the heart of American democracy, writing and passing the laws that shape the nation. But how does the lawmaking process actually work, and what powers does Congress have?

In this episode of The American Government Curriculum Companion, we take a closer look at the structure and function of the Legislative Branch. We’ll explore the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate, how a bill becomes a law, and the key powers granted to Congress by the Constitution. We’ll also discuss the influence of committees, filibusters, lobbying, and the checks and balances that keep legislative power in check.

This episode is designed to accompany our unit plan on the Legislative Branch of Government for our complete Civics and American Government Curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in Civics & Government, along with US History, World History, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.