1. How a Bill Becomes a Law (6
How a Bill Becomes a Law (6.4) 1b: Evaluate how individuals and groups can effectively use the structure and functions of various levels of government to shape policy. 3c: Explain how to monitor and influence public policy.

2. 2 Categories of Bills 1) Private Bills 2) Public Bills
- bills that deal w/ individual people or places
- e.g. Oil Drilling in Banning Lewis Ranch
2) Public Bills
- bills that deal w/ entire nation
- e.g. taxes

3. Step #1: Ideas for bills 1) U.S. citizens
When large # of constituents request a particular law
2) Special-interest Groups
Organization made up of people w/ common interest & want a law changed/passed (unions)

4. Step #1: Ideas for bills (c0nt.)
3) Committees of Congress (e.g. Commerce)
Committee investigations reveal need for new law
4) Members of Congress
Experiences of members
5) President of U.S.
Recommends laws he/she feels needed to
improve country (state of the union speech)

5. Step #2: Submitting a Bill
Every bill is given a title & number (e.g. s.11)

6. Step #3: Bill to Committee
Bill sent to standing committee that deals w/ subject of bill (e.g. conservation)
Committee can:
1) pass bill in its current form
2) revise bill, then pass it
3) replace original bill w/ new bill
4) ignore bill & let it die (i.e. pigeonhole)
5) kill bill w/ majority vote

7. Step #4: Debating the Bill
Bill is submitted to floor of House or Senate for a vote
Members of Congress argue pros/cons of bill + any revisions

8. Step #4: Debating the Bill (cont.)
Revisions
House
Accepts only amendments relevant to bill
Senate
Accepts riders- completely unrelated amendments- to be added to bills

9. Step #4: Debating a bill (cont.)
Debate
House of Representatives
puts time limit on debate
Reason: too many members to allow full debate
Senate
Allows members to speak as long as he/she wishes

10. Step #4: Debating a bill (cont.)
Senate
Filibuster: method of debating a bill continuously until bill’s sponsor withdraws the bill
Used by opposition of bill to kill the bill and prevent its passage
How applied: Senator or group of senators continuously talk about bill

11. Step #4: Debating a bill (cont.)
Cloture: method to end a filibuster
requires a 3/5 vote
allows members to only speak for a maximum of 1 hour

12. Sept #5: Voting on a Bill Voting in House
Voice vote: verbal “yea” or “nea”
Majority rules
Standing vote: physical “stand and be counted” (yes & no)
Recorded vote: electronic vote

13. Sept #5: Voting on a Bill (cont.)
Voting in Senate
1) voice vote
2) Standing vote
3) Roll-call vote: respond “yea” or “nea” as the
name of the Senator is called
Simple majority all that is needed from members that are present

14. Sept #5: Voting on a Bill (cont.)
Bill passed in one house is sent to the other after voting
If:
1) either house rejects the bill, it dies
2) 2 different versions of the same bill are passed, the
2 bills go to conference committee
Both houses must pass exact same bill for it to be approved & sent to President

15. Step #6: President & Bills
Actions of the President:
1) Sign the Bill as written & approved by Congress
2) Veto: refuse to sign the Bill
3) Not sign the bill for 10 days
If Congress in session, bill becomes law
4) Pocket Veto: not sign the bill for 10 days
If Congress out of session, bill dies

16. Other actions regarding bills
If President vetoes bill:
Congress can override Presidential veto w/ 2/3 vote in both
houses