Making Law: The House Chapter 12 Section 3

Key Terms Bill Joint Resolution Concurrent Resolution Resolution Rider Pigeonhole Discharge petition Quorum Engrossed

The First Steps Bill-is a proposed law presented to the House or Senate for consideration. Most bills do not originate in Congress Most of the important bill come from the executive branch

The First steps Business, labor, agriculture and other special interest groups Some bill come from private citizens who think “there ought to be a law”

The First Steps Before introduction letter is circulated Explains why the sponsor thinks t is important Tries to get several co-sponsors Increases chance of passage

Types of Bills and Resolutions There are two types of bills Public-apply to the nation as a whole (taxes) Private-apply to certain persons or places (helping farmers)

Joint Resolution Joint resolution-are similar to bills when passed have the force of law Usually deal with temporary matters Used to propose constitutional amendments To annex territories

Concurrent Resolutions Deal with matter that the House and Senate must act on jointly Do not have the force of law Do not require a presidents signature Used to state a position on some matter (foreign affairs)

Resolution Called simple resolutions deal with matters concerning the House alone Used for adoption of a new rule Have no force of law Do not require a presidents signature

Resolution Unusually deals with a single subject Sometimes a rider is included Rider-is a provision not likely to pass on its own is attached to an important matter Hope they will ride through the process

Resolution Most riders are attached onto appropriations bills Money bills have some many riders they are called Christmas trees Opponents and president are forced to sign

Introduction and First Reading Originating in the House it has an H in front of the number Originating from the Senate it has an S Each bill has a sheet title (brief description) Entered into House Journal and Congressional Record

Introduction and First Reading Journal contains the minutes and official proceedings in Congress Members have five days to change Change inaccurate or thoughtless remarks Insert speeches This is first reading

Introduction and First Reading All bills are printed after intro and passed out to House members Each bill passed has three readings Second reading come during floor consideration

Introduction and First Reading Third reading takes place before the final vote. Each reading is usually by number and title Important or controversial bills are read in full and taken line for line

Introduction and First Reading Three readings ancient parliamentary practice Intended to ensure careful consideration Today just a way station along their route Important in early days when some members could not read

Introduction and First Reading After first reading the Speaker refers it to appropriate standing committee Bills content determines where it goes If issues are complex it could given to one of several committees

The Bill in Committee Constitution makes no mention of committees Are absolutely essential Sometimes called little legislatures

The Bill in Committee Standing committees are sieves that sift through all the bills Most are rejected Fate of most bills decided in committee

The Bill in Committee Pigeonholed-they are buried and die in committee Sometime the committee buries a bill of the majority Can be brought out by a discharge petition

The Bill in Committee Discharge position- force a bill that has remained in committee for 30 days onto the floor for consideration

The Bill in Committee If motion is signed by 218 house members the House has 7 days to report the bill If not the person who signed the bill on the second and fourth Monday can move to discharge the bill

The Bill in Committee Last successful in 2002 in Bipartisan Campaign Reform act of 2002 The House leadership had buried it for years First change in campaign law in 23 years

The Committee at Work Chairman refers it to one of several subcommittees Hold hearings People invited to testify Committee can issue a subpoena Can force witness to testify

The Committee at Work Sometimes these committees make trips People criticize the expense of the trips On the spot investigation is crucial to the committee

Committee Actions When subcommittee is done it goes to the full committee May report on the bill favorably Chairmen’s job to steer it through floor debate

Committee Action Refuse to report that bill (pigeonhole) Report on the bill in amended form Changed in committee Several similar bill are combined

Committee Action Report the bill with unfavorable recommendation Gives House the chance to consider the bill Do not want to be responsible for killing it Report a bill to committee New bill substituted for on of several bills referred

Scheduling Floor Debate Calendars there are five Union Calendar House Calendar Private Calendar Corrections Calendar Discharge Calendar

Scheduling Floor Debate Bills are taken from these calendars Corrections calendars are considered on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month

Scheduling Floor Debate On Calendar “Wednesdays” committee chairmen may call a bill from the Union Calendar

Rules Rules Committee plays a critical role in the legislative process Can set rules for how House members may consider a bill

Rules Rules committee must approve a time for its appearance on the floor. By not granting the rule, the Rules committee kills the bill

Rules Certain bills are privileged Appropriations bills, general revenue (tax bills) Conference committee reports Certain days House may suspend all rules

The Bill on the Floor Receives a second reading when it reaches the floor Committee of the whole includes all members of the House as one committee Speaker steps down led by a member

The Bill on the Floor A quorum must be present for the house to do business Quorum-is a majority of the full membership (in the House 218 members)

Debate House has imposed limits on debate In 1842 rule developed that no one could hold the floor longer than 1 hour Speaker can force you to give up the floor

Debate Majority and minority floor leaders decide how to split floor time A member can demand a vote at any time If motion is adopted debate ends Up and down vote is then taken

Voting Can be subject to several votes House uses four different methods for taking a floor vote

Voting Voice votes are the most common. Speaker calls for yea or nay If a member thinks the speaker erred in a voice vote they can demand a standing vote

Voting Teller vote- 1/5 quorum in house Speaker names tellers and they collect the votes A roll call vote-vote of record can be done if 1/5 request it

Voting Since 1973 done by computer Vote yea, nay, present A large board above the speakers head show the voting

Final steps in the House Engrossed-once a bill has been approved at second reading or printed in final form Read for third time Vote is taken Speaker signs it and it it taken to the Senate