How a Bill Becomes a Law Word Search (Free Printable + Answer Key)

This 'How Laws Are Made' word search introduces students to the steps a bill takes through Congress, including Committee, Debate, and Veto. It is a great civics activity, with a free printable worksheet and answer key.

I	K	P	O	V	E	R	R	I	D	E
B	I	I	K	D	E	B	A	T	E	F
T	F	T	N	I	S	V	O	T	E	K
W	K	C	O	M	M	I	T	T	E	E
B	S	G	X	R	C	V	T	Q	S	H
S	E	W	J	P	B	A	E	X	E	W
X	G	P	S	I	I	O	M	T	V	B
H	F	L	L	I	T	G	X	E	O	V
C	A	L	J	I	G	V	L	X	N	E
W	W	L	A	O	S	N	F	O	H	D
Z	E	I	Z	S	P	O	N	S	O	R

Word List

BILL: A proposed law that is introduced in Congress for consideration.
COMMITTEE: A small group of members of Congress that studies a bill in detail before the full chamber votes on it.
DEBATE: Formal discussion in Congress about the merits of a bill before voting.
AMEND: To change the wording of a bill. Members may propose amendments before a final vote.
VOTE: The formal decision by members of Congress to pass or reject a bill.
SIGN: When the president signs a bill, it becomes a law.
VETO: When the president rejects a bill instead of signing it. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote.
OVERRIDE: Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, turning the bill into law anyway.
LAW: A bill that has completed the legislative process and now applies as binding rule.
SPONSOR: The member of Congress who introduces a bill and shepherds it through the process.

About How Laws Are Made

A bill becomes a law in the United States through a multi-step process designed to slow down and refine new legislation. A member of Congress introduces a bill, committees study and amend it, both chambers debate and vote, and finally the president signs (or vetoes) it. If signed, the bill becomes a federal law that applies to the entire country.

How Laws Are Made Vocabulary

This puzzle features the legislative process: the BILL itself; deliberative steps like COMMITTEE, DEBATE, AMEND, and VOTE; and final stages like SIGN, VETO, OVERRIDE, LAW, and SPONSOR.

How to Use This Word Search in Class

Walk through the 'I'm Just a Bill' Schoolhouse Rock video (still freely available) and have students label each step on a flowchart, using the puzzle words. As an extension, have students draft their own classroom 'bill' (like a new homework policy) and walk it through the same process.

Printable How Laws Are Made Word Search Worksheet

Click the print button to print this how laws are made word search. The printable version includes the puzzle grid and word list, perfect for classroom handouts or homework.

I	K	P	O	V	E	R	R	I	D	E
B	I	I	K	D	E	B	A	T	E	F
T	F	T	N	I	S	V	O	T	E	K
W	K	C	O	M	M	I	T	T	E	E
B	S	G	X	R	C	V	T	Q	S	H
S	E	W	J	P	B	A	E	X	E	W
X	G	P	S	I	I	O	M	T	V	B
H	F	L	L	I	T	G	X	E	O	V
C	A	L	J	I	G	V	L	X	N	E
W	W	L	A	O	S	N	F	O	H	D
Z	E	I	Z	S	P	O	N	S	O	R

I	K	P	O	V	E	R	R	I	D	E
B	I	I	K	D	E	B	A	T	E	F
T	F	T	N	I	S	V	O	T	E	K
W	K	C	O	M	M	I	T	T	E	E
B	S	G	X	R	C	V	T	Q	S	H
S	E	W	J	P	B	A	E	X	E	W
X	G	P	S	I	I	O	M	T	V	B
H	F	L	L	I	T	G	X	E	O	V
C	A	L	J	I	G	V	L	X	N	E
W	W	L	A	O	S	N	F	O	H	D
Z	E	I	Z	S	P	O	N	S	O	R