Real world What a legislature does
A legislature is a group of elected representatives who make laws, decide how public money is raised and spent, and hold the government to account. Many legislatures have two chambers, which both have to agree before a bill becomes law.
Real world How a law is made
- A member introduces a proposal, called a bill.
- A committee studies it, hears from experts and the public, and may change it.
- Members debate and vote on it.
- If both chambers pass it, it goes to the head of government to sign or veto.
Real world Why the dome?
Many capitols are built with a dome and columns, borrowing from ancient Greek and Roman architecture to suggest democracy, law and permanence. The dome of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, was built of cast iron during the Civil War and completed in 1866. Many US state capitols copied its style.
Art In this artwork
This illustration shows a domed capitol with columns, inspired by many real legislative buildings.
Look closer
- Find the dome and the columns.
- Compare it with the Roman Pantheon. What looks similar?
Think about it
- Why do you think capitols borrow ideas from ancient Rome and Greece?
- If you could propose one law, what would it be?
- How can young people make their voices heard by lawmakers?
Key words
- Legislature
- An elected body that makes laws.
- Bill
- A proposed law.
- Veto
- Refusing to sign a law.
Use it in class
- How does local government work? (Lesson, grades 5-12)
Sources
The facts on this page are based on these sources:
- Architect of the Capitol, history of the United States Capitol and its dome
- National Conference of State Legislatures, how state legislatures work
