How a Bill Becomes a Law

Law making process

• Types of Bills– Public Bill– Private Bill

• Types of Resolutions– Simple resolution– Joint resolution– Concurrent resolution

Formal LeadershipLeadership in the House• The Speaker of the House • The Majority Leader• The Minority Leader• Whips

Leadership in the Senate• Vice President• Majority Leader• Minority leader• Whips

Types of Congressional Committees

• Standing Committees– Where all bills are referred

• Select Committees– accomplish a particular task

• Joint Committees– members of each chamber

• Conference Committees– Settles differences between

versions of bills

• House Rules Committee– makes rules that will govern

what happens to the bill on the floor of the House

ProceduresCrafting the Bill• Pigeonholing • Hearings• Markups• Riders (Xmas tree bills)• Reconciliation

Voting• Voice vote• Standing vote• Roll call

Questions

1. How can placing a rider on a bill aid, or prevent, it from being passed?

2. How might congressional procedure impact whether or not a bill passes?

3. Why is the line-item veto unconstitutional?