Today AP Gov teacher David Olson shares his favorite episode, How a Bill (really) Becomes a Law. Here is a link to his paired lesson plan, three pages that will get anyone, student or not, up to speed.

We at Civics 101 adore Schoolhouse Rock and that sad little scrap of paper on the steps of the Capitol. But today we try to finish what they started, by diving into the messy, partisan, labyrinthine process of modern-day legislation.

This episode features the voices of Andy Wilson, Adia Samba-Quee, Alizah Ross, and Eleanor Powell.

Civics 101 is free to listen to, but not to make. Support the show today with a small gift.

How a Bill (Really) Becomes a Law

How do landmark Supreme Court decisions affect our lives? What does the 2nd Amendment really say? Why does the Senate have so much power? Civics 101 is the podcast about how our democracy works…or is supposed to work, anyway.

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The Republican and Democratic National Committees used to be "the chair and his/her briefcase." But what do they do now?

What do the RNC and DNC do?

Deductions, credits, W2s, audits. It's complicated out there, so we break it down.

How to file your taxes

Paying income taxes is a civic responsibility... but it hasn't always been. Where did it start, and where is it now?

Why do we pay income taxes, again?

Forget the rhetoric and hysterical political ads! Host Hannah McCarthy did the research, and she runs down all of the *actual* campaign promises being made by President Joe Biden and Donald Trump as they both make a second run for the White House.

Promises, Promises: What Biden and Trump are saying they'll do if elected

Everybody agrees it's bad, nobody agrees on why.

How a Bill (Really) Becomes a Law

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