Complete the Story: Farmer Henson

Instructions: Right now, the order of the process of Farmer Henson’s bill is out of order! Cut out the
squares, and with a partner, you will reorganize the order in which Farmer Henson was able to get his bill
passed through Congress. Make sure you read each square carefully and look at your helpful graphic
organizers to help you complete the activity!

Farmer Henson was mad! A factory near his house was creating so much pollution that his
crops were dying. He found out that other farmers had the same problem. He wanted a law
passed that would prohibit factories from being too close to farmland.

Once in the Senate, Farmer Henson’s bill was assigned to another committee for study. Once
again the bill was revised a little, but it wasn’t tabled.

Since the committee didn’t know much about the effects of pollution on farmland, is had a
subcommittee conduct a study. The bill was revised a little then released. Farmer Henson
was really glad the bill was not tables, or set aside, as many bills are.

The Speaker of the House assigned the bill to a committee for study.

The bill was then sent to the President. Farmer Henson wondered if the President would take
his 10 days to pass the bill or if he’d sign it quickly. Or maybe the president wouldn’t act on it
at all and the bill would automatically become law. If the President vetoed the bill, it would
be sent back to Congress for approval by two thirds of the members. If Congress didn’t
approve it, the bill would not become a law.

The bill’s title was published in the Congressional Record. Copies of the bill were printed.

The President signed the bill after it had been sitting on his desk for only three days. Farmer
Henson cheered when he heard the news. He was looking forward to no more factories and
lots more crops.

But Farmer Henson’s joy was short-lived. Even though both houses had passed the bill, they
had differences of opinion about some parts of the bill. A conference committee had to revise
the bill and send it back to both houses for their approval.

Farmer Henson was excited when he heard his bill had passed by a simple majority in the
House and was on its way to the Senate.

Finally both houses passed the revised bill! The Speaker of the House and the Vice-President
both signed it.

Farmer Henson wrote his representative in Washington, D.C. She said she and 20 other
representatives would be glad to co-sponsor the bill. She gave the bill to the Clerk of the
House.

The Senate passed the bill by a simple majority. Farmer Henson was elated. He hoped that
the factory near him would have to move.