The Legislative Process American Government Unit 3 Legislative Branch

What does this political cartoon represent?

“I’m Just A Bill” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyeJ55o3El0 Can someone volunteer to summarize what happened to the bill to become a law?

How a Bill Becomes a Law Bill → Law

Why it Matters!!! The lawmaking process is quite complicated – Indeed, it may be likened to a very difficult obstacle course. Only a small fraction of the bills introduced in either House survive.

The Number of Bills That Become Laws (Less than 10%) Definitions You Need: Filibuster – To Talk A Bill To Death Cloture Rule – Limits debate on a given Bill Veto – Presidential rejection of a Bill Pocket Veto – Letting a Bill expire by holding on to it; after Congress adjourns it fails to become a Law Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Measures Introduced 9,134 Reported by Committee 1,062 Passed in One Chamber 1,231 Passed by Both Chambers 411 Laws Laws Laws 377 Public Laws Created

Types of Bills & Resolutions Bills – A proposed law Public Bill - applies to the entire nation Private bill - applies to certain people or places Resolution – A measure dealing with some matter in one house. Does not have the Force of Law Does not require the President’s signature

Types of Bills & Resolutions (Continued) Joint Resolution – A proposal for some action that has the Force of Law when passed (President’s signature), usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters. Concurrent Resolution – A statement of position on an issue, adopted by the House and Senate acting jointly. Does not have the Force of Law Does not require the President’s signature

HR1 Introduced in the House S1 Introduced in the Senate Introduction Introduction HR1 Introduced in the House S1 Introduced in the Senate Committee Action Committee Action S1 Referred to Standing Committee. Then to Sub-Committee for more Study, Hearings, Revisions, and Approval. Back to Committee for MORE hearings and revisions HR1 Referred to Standing Committee. Back to the Full Committee for more Hearing and Revisions Floor Action Floor Action HR1 Debated, then Passed or Defeated. If Passed it goes to the Senate S1 Debated then passed or Defeated. If Passed it goes to the House

Resolves differences between House and Senate Bills Conference Committee Resolves differences between House and Senate Bills Congressional Approval House and Senate Vote on Final Passage President Action Signs and Bill Becomes Law Veto (subject to Overturning by 2/3s Majority of BOTH Chambers) Hold for Ten Days then Bill Becomes Laws Pocket Veto

Committees Action Committees can pigeonhole a bill, meaning they can kill it by majority vote or simply ignore it

What are the 4 methods for voting on a bill?

What does this cartoon represent? What is the irony?

Lobbying Opener https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTbtKRdYbYo

Lobbyists Representatives of interest groups are called lobbyists, who try to convince members of Congress to support policies favored by the groups they represent. These efforts are known as lobbying. Largest and most powerful lobbies have full-time staffs and permanent buildings Provide lawmakers with information, visit lawmakers in office, encourage citizens to write to members of Congress on issues. Focus attention on congressional committees Do you think Lobbying is right? Should Congress be influenced by Lobbyists? What if you could lobby your teacher? How would you lobby me to give you answers to your exam? (Not going to happen by the way!)

4 Methods for Taking Floor Votes in the House of Representatives: Voice Vote: The members answer in chorus. Standing Vote: Division of the House. Roll Call Vote: Name is called in alphabetical order. Recorded Vote – Recorded electronically and displayed on panels.

Explain the steps in the legislative process (bill law) You will be assigned with a partner. It is your job to become an expert on your assigned topic and “teach” it to the class. Explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate Explain the steps in the legislative process (bill law) Explain the different positions of leadership in the Legislative Branch. Describe the influence of lobbyists