Random Fact of the Day:Random Fact of the Day:

The Baby Ruth candy bar was The Baby Ruth candy bar was actually named after Grover actually named after Grover Cleveland's baby daughter, Ruth. Cleveland's baby daughter, Ruth.

Chapter 6, Section Chapter 6, Section 44

How a Bill How a Bill Becomes a LawBecomes a Law

Main IdeaMain Idea

Several complex steps are involved Several complex steps are involved from turning a bill into a law!!!from turning a bill into a law!!!

I. I. Types of Bills (157-161)Types of Bills (157-161)

***Of the more than 10,000 bills ***Of the more than 10,000 bills introduced each term, only introduced each term, only several hundred become a several hundred become a law.***law.***

AA.. Two types of Bills: Two types of Bills:

11. . Private Bill-Private Bill- bills that concern bills that concern only certain individuals or placesonly certain individuals or places

2.2. Public Bill-Public Bill- Apply to the entire Apply to the entire nation nation

B.B. Joint Resolutions-Joint Resolutions- resolutions passed by resolutions passed by both houses of Congress.both houses of Congress.

II. II. From Bill to Law From Bill to Law

***Ideas come from Congress, citizens, ***Ideas come from Congress, citizens, and the White House.*** and the White House.***

A. A. Bills are sometimes introduced by special Bills are sometimes introduced by special interest groupsinterest groups

B. B. Special Interest Group-Special Interest Group- organization organization with a common interest who influence with a common interest who influence the government. the government.

***Bills can only be introduced by a ***Bills can only be introduced by a senator or member of the senator or member of the House.***House.***

C.C. Every bill is given a title and a Every bill is given a title and a number, then sent to the appropriate number, then sent to the appropriate standing committee. standing committee.

D.D. Committee chairperson decides whether Committee chairperson decides whether the bill gets ignored or studied. the bill gets ignored or studied.

EE.. Standing Committee can do 5 things: Standing Committee can do 5 things:

1.1. Pass bill without change.Pass bill without change.

2. 2. Make changes and suggest the bill be Make changes and suggest the bill be passed.passed.

3. 3. Replace with alternative bill.Replace with alternative bill.

44. . Pigeonhole-Pigeonhole- ignore the bill ‘til it dies ignore the bill ‘til it dies

5. 5. Kill bill by majority vote!Kill bill by majority vote!

F.F. Bills approved in committee are Bills approved in committee are then put on schedules to be heard then put on schedules to be heard by the full House or Senate. by the full House or Senate.

G.G. When bills are introduced, members When bills are introduced, members of Congress debate the pros and of Congress debate the pros and cons.cons.

***While the House accepts only ***While the House accepts only relevant amendments, the relevant amendments, the Senate can add riders.***Senate can add riders.***

H.H. Riders- Riders- completely unrelated completely unrelated amendments tacked onto the bill. amendments tacked onto the bill.

I.I. A 3/5 vote for A 3/5 vote for cloturecloture can kill a filibuster.can kill a filibuster.J.J. Three types of votes: Three types of votes:

1. 1. Voice Vote-Voice Vote- Simply, yea or nay Simply, yea or nay2. 2. Standing Vote-Standing Vote- Those in favor stand Those in favor stand

3. 3. Roll-Call Vote-Roll-Call Vote- Computerized voting Computerized voting system. Vote and turn in to be counted. system. Vote and turn in to be counted.

K.K. If bill passes in one house, it then If bill passes in one house, it then goes to the other house. goes to the other house. ***If either ***If either house rejects, the bill dies!!!***house rejects, the bill dies!!!***

L.L. Both houses must pass an identical Both houses must pass an identical bill. bill. ***If either house changes the ***If either house changes the bill it received from the other bill it received from the other house, a conference committee is house, a conference committee is formed to work out the formed to work out the differences!***differences!***

***After bill passes through both ***After bill passes through both houses, it goes to the houses, it goes to the President.***President.***

M.M. President can do three things: President can do three things:1. 1. Sign the bill into a law.Sign the bill into a law.2. 2. Veto-Veto- refuse the bill refuse the bill3. 3. Pocket Veto-Pocket Veto- do nothing with the do nothing with the bill for 10 days. bill for 10 days.

N.N. Congress Congress CAN CAN override a veto with override a veto with a 2/3 majority in each house!a 2/3 majority in each house!

Mini Quiz!!!Mini Quiz!!! 3 Doors Down- Away from the sun 3 Doors Down- Away from the sun

1.1. Who gives Congress ideas for laws?Who gives Congress ideas for laws?

2.2. True/False- Only members of Congress True/False- Only members of Congress can introduce bills?can introduce bills?

3.3. How many bills are introduced each How many bills are introduced each year? How many actually become year? How many actually become laws?laws?

4.4. What is the difference between a What is the difference between a private and a public bill?private and a public bill?

5.5. If the President veto’s a bill, is it dead?If the President veto’s a bill, is it dead?