Civic Academy

Master the fundamentals of democratic participation through interactive lessons. Complete paths to unlock achievements and level up your civic knowledge.

Learning Paths

Democracy Fundamentals

Beginner

Learn how the U.S. government works, understand the three branches, and discover how citizens can participate in democracy.

Progress 3/5 Lessons
+500 XP Total

Legislative Process

Intermediate

Deep dive into how laws are made, the role of committees, and how executive orders differ from legislation.

Progress 1/6 Lessons
+750 XP Total

Taking Action

Practical

Learn effective civic action strategies: contacting representatives, submitting comments, voting, and community organizing.

Progress 0/4 Lessons
+600 XP Total

Risk Analysis

Advanced

Understand our transparent risk scoring methodology, domain weighting, and how to interpret legislative impact assessments.

Progress 0/5 Lessons
+800 XP Total

Quick Reference

Risk Scores Explained

Risk scores (0-100) show impact magnitude, not whether legislation is "good" or "bad." A high environmental score means significant environmental impact—it could help OR harm the environment.

Domain Weights

Environmental (35%), Healthcare (28%), Civil Liberties (22%), Economic (15%). These weights reflect prioritization for civic oversight—you can focus on domains that matter most to you.

Phone Calls Work Best

Congressional offices track constituent calls. A brief, polite phone call is often 10x more effective than email or form letters. Always mention specific bill numbers.

Privacy Commitment

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Accessibility

Keyboard navigation, screen reader support, WCAG 2.1 AA contrast, reduced motion support. Built for everyone. If you encounter barriers, we want to know.

Public Comments

Agencies must legally consider substantive public comments before finalizing rules. Your input becomes part of the official record. Be specific, cite evidence, suggest alternatives.

How a Bill Becomes Law

The U.S. legislative process is designed to be deliberate and thorough. Understanding how a bill becomes law helps you identify the best opportunities to make your voice heard.

The Legislative Journey

Every law starts as an idea. A member of Congress drafts the idea into a bill, which then goes through a multi-step process before potentially becoming law.

1
Introduction
Bill drafted & introduced
2
Committee
Review & amendments
3
Floor Vote
Full chamber debate
4
Other Chamber
Process repeats
5
Conference
Reconcile versions
6
President
Sign or veto

Pro Tip: Best Time to Act

The committee stage is often the most influential time for citizen input. Most bills die in committee, so contacting your representatives before committee votes can have significant impact.

Key Terms

  • H.R. — House Resolution (bill originating in the House)
  • S. — Senate bill (originating in the Senate)
  • Markup — When a committee amends a bill
  • Cloture — Senate procedure to end debate (requires 60 votes)

Quick Check

When is the BEST time to contact your representative about a bill?

AAfter it becomes law
BDuring committee review
CAfter the President signs it
DOnly during elections