From Bill to Law

Sam Weber

Who can draft a bill?

Citizens Members of congress The president Special interest groups

Resolutions – a statement made by congress that can have the power of a law

Drafting a Bill

Legislative Process

*First Reading* Only elected members of Congress can

introduce a bill Each branch of Congress has different means

of introducing a bill

House SenateDropped in Hopper Read

verbally

Introducing a Bill

The Hopper

Speaker of the House or presiding officer in the

Senate assigns the bill to a Committee of Congress Bills may be referred to more than one committee

and it may be split so that parts are sent to different committees.

Can be pigeonholed which is the failure to act on a bill in one session (1 year), equivalent to killing it

Bill will be adjusted by committee before full house debate.

*Second Reading*

Committee Action

Calendar The bill is placed on either the House Calendar

(House of Rep.) or Legislative Calendar (Senate)

Bills are brought to floor when deemed necessary

Floor Action

Debate House

Debate is limited by the rules formulated in the Rules Committee.

The Committee of the Whole debates and amends the bill

No riders are allowed First quorum call (to check attendance),

then vote once everybody is present

Floor Action

Debate Senate

Debate is unlimited unless cloture is invoked.

Members can speak as long as they want Riders allowed Unless cloture is invoked, Senators can use

a filibuster to defeat a measure by "talking it to death.”

Floor Action

*Third Reading*Vote Must pass by simple majority 4 means of voting:

Voice vote Roll call vote Record vote Standing vote

Floor Action

A committee of the Congress appointed by the

House of Representatives and Senate to resolve disagreements on a particular bill.

The committee is usually made up of senior members who are appointed by the officers of the committee that originally dealt with the bill.

Establish a compromise

Conference Committee

President signs it and the bill becomes law Bill becomes law if not signed by President in

10 days. Veto

Sent back to congress to be voted on again. Requires 2/3 majority vote to pass

Pocket Veto Congress adjourns before the 10 days and

President has not signed

Presidential Action

http://www.coons.senate.gov/learn/bills/

http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/Lesson_14_Notes.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_congressional_conference_committee

http://votesmart.org/education/how-a-bill-becomes-law#.VFDvruek-TQ

My Notes

Sources