How A Bill Becomes A Law I'm Just a Bill

How A Bill Becomes A Law Overview

Step #1: Introducing A Bill Anyone may introduce a Bill In the House of Representatives: Hand Bill to a clerk Drop Bill into a “hopper” (tradition from UK) In the Senate: Being recognized by the presiding officer and announcing the bill’s introduction Bill is numbered and sent to a printer

Step #2: Study By Committee Bill referred to a committee by either; Speaker of the House Presiding officer of the Senate Rules govern which committee will get a bill Rules vary per house

Step #2a: Study By Sub-Committee 2. Referred to a Sub-committee Sub Committees are the research arm of the larger, Full/Standing Committee What happens in a subcommittee? Witnesses appear Evidence is taken Questions are asked Hearings used to Inform members Permit interest groups Build public support 3. After hearing, sub-committee “marks up” bill

Step #2: Study By Committee 4. Back to the Full/Standing Committee for a possible vote If majority of the committee votes to report a bill out of committee, it goes on Accompanied by a report that explains: Why the committee favored it Why they wish to see its amendments, if any, adopted b) If the committee does not report favorably on the bill, the bill dies Are we done yet? I’m bored

Only takes place in the House of Representatives. Rules Committee Adopt rules to govern the procedures under which the bill will be considered Only takes place in the House of Representatives.

Step #3: Floor Debate THE HOUSE THE SENATE Discussed by “Committee of the Whole” Whoever is present at the time Speaker chooses presider Committee debates, amends, decides final shape During this time, no riders allowed- unless related to bill’s purpose Time for debate divided evenly 5 minutes per person “Quorum Call”- need 218 to vote No rule limiting debate Senators can speak as long as they want Remarks need not be relevant If House has passed a bill, Committee hearing can be waived in Senate Senate Filibuster- time staller Majority of 51 Senators needed to vote. This is a quorum.

Step #3: Floor Debate THE SENATE (continued) Filibuster -The use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action. Strom Thurmond set a record in 1957 by filibustering the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for 24 hours and 18 minutes, although the bill ultimately passed. Visited a steam room before his filibuster in order to dehydrate himself so he could drink without urinating. An aide stood by in the cloakroom with a pail in case of emergency.“ Cloture Rule- parliamentary procedure by which debate is ended and an immediate vote is taken on the matter under discussion. Requires 16 Senators for petition Motion is voted on 2 days after petition is introduced To pass, 3/5 of Senate membership is needed- 60 Senators If passed, each Senator is limited to 1 hour of debate After that, total debate can only = 100 hours (including role call)

Step #4 Voting THE HOUSE The Senate Voice Vote- Yea vs Nay Division (Standing Vote)- Stand and be counted (in both, members names are not recorded) Teller Vote- the members pass between two tellers..yeas first, nays second Usually recorded Role Call Vote- Yea or Nay to people’s names Can be done at the request of 1/5 of reps present The Senate No teller vote and not electronic counters

Step #5 (Sometimes): Reconciling Different Bills Bill goes to Conference Committee: Members picked by chairperson of the House + Senate Committees that have been handling the bill 3-15 members per house (depending on bill) Members of both the House of Representatives and Senate meet to work on differences in the bill. Bill goes back to each house to accept or reject

Step #6: Off To The White House If bill is accepted by both houses, goes to President President’s options: Sign or veto If President signs, Bill becomes a law! If President vetos, bill goes back to Congress Congress can override with a 2/3 vote of members present in each house (if quorum exists) Vote must be a roll call

The End!

Assignment www.Congress.gov