Bill to Law and Interest Groups

School House Rock

HoR Introduction A Representative introduces the bill and is known as the sponsor

HoR Committee Bill is sent to standing committee that is related to the topic that can pass the bill, amend (change) and pass it, ignore it and let it die, or kill it.

HoR Debate Bill goes before all of House of Reps to argue the pros and cons with a time limit and on topic

HoR Vote Entire HoR votes If passed it goes to the Senate and repeats the steps

Senate Introduction Senator introduces the bill and is known as the sponsor

Senate Committee Bill is sent to standing committee that is related to the topic that can pass the bill, amend (change) and pass it, ignore it and let it die, or kill it.

Senate Debate Bill goes before all of the Senate to argue pros and cons with no time limit and not on topic Filibuster- a person opposing the bill takes the floor and talks the bill to death until a cloture or the sponsor withdrawals the bill (Senate only) Cloture- 2/3rd vote to end a filibuster, now Senators can only talk for an hour (Senate only)

Senate Vote Entire Senate votes If passed it goes to the House of Representatives and repeats the steps

Passage Conference Committee (with members of HoR and Senate) fixes differences in bills and makes it into 1 bill

President Vote The President can sign and pass or veto it Veto- President’s decision to kill a bill passed by Congress Congress can override a Presidential veto with a 2/3rds majority vote

Interest Groups Interest Group- group of people who share similar views on issues and unite to promote their beliefs Interest Group- group of people who share similar views on issues and unite to promote their beliefs Interest groups try to persuade politicians toward their point of view Interest groups try to persuade politicians toward their point of view

Interest Groups National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) National Organization for Women (NOW) National Organization for Women (NOW) National Education Association (NEA) National Education Association (NEA) American Medical Association (AMA) American Medical Association (AMA) American Dental Association (ADA) American Dental Association (ADA) National Rifle Association (NRA) National Rifle Association (NRA) American Automobile Association (AAA) American Automobile Association (AAA) People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Give members incentives to join Give members incentives to join

Lobbyist Lobbyists- representatives of interest groups who contact politicians directly Lobbyists- representatives of interest groups who contact politicians directly Lobbyists prepare their own drafts of bills and try and make sure laws are enforced Lobbyists prepare their own drafts of bills and try and make sure laws are enforced Political Action Committee (PACs)- organization made by a corporation or interest group to give money to a candidate Political Action Committee (PACs)- organization made by a corporation or interest group to give money to a candidate Political Action Committees collect money from the members of their group and use it to support some candidates and oppose others Political Action Committees collect money from the members of their group and use it to support some candidates and oppose others

Lobbyists Pros- make Pros- make government more responsive, communicate people’s wishes to politicians Cons- have too much say in government, monetary contributions give them improper influence over government Cons- have too much say in government, monetary contributions give them improper influence over government