Warm-up: Answer the following questions. ( If you write in full sentences, you do not have to write the question) 1. What is the main job of Congress? 2. What are the 2 types of powers Congress has and describe each? 3. What document sets forth the formal powers of Congress?

The Lawmaking Process How a Bill Becomes a Law

MADD Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a non-profit organization in the United States that seeks to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and overall push for stricter alcohol policy. The Irving, Texas–based organization was founded in 1980 in California by Candice Lightner after her 13-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk drivernon-profitIrving, TexasCandice Lightner More recently, MADD was heavily involved in lobbying to reduce the legal limit for blood alcohol from BAC.10 to BAC.08. [22] In 2000, this standard was passed by Congress and by 2005, every state had an illegal.08 BAC limit. [blood alcohol [22]

The main job of the Legislative Branch and Congress is to MAKE LAWS FOR THE NATION

Elected officials in Congress (Senators and Representatives) write laws in response to issues or problems in the nation

Individuals, the Media and Interest Groups can influence Congress to propose legislation and laws for the nation.

Chapter Intro 3

Individuals 1. Participate in politics 2. Express opinions 3. Join interest groups

Media 1. Focus attention on issues 2. Offer a forum for opposing viewpoints 3. Hold elected officials accountable

Interest Groups 1. Identify issues 2. Make political contributions 3. Lobby gov’t officials

Chapter Assessment 4 Why do people form interest groups? There is strength in numbers. Organized groups can have more influence than individuals.

1. These groups raise public awareness of the issues called public opinion. 2. Once the issues becomes important enough for our lawmakers to deal with it then it is placed on the public agenda. 3. This is the first step in taking issues raised by the public to influence public policy or the lawmaking process.

If the idea is important enough It is written into a bill and makes it to Congress HouseSenate

A bill must go through the following steps in both houses of Congress Read pages in the textbook.

What are the steps for a bill to become a law of the land?

STEP #1 The bill is introduced by a Senator or Representative This is the person who sponsors the bill

STEP #2 Worked on in a committee edited Items added Influence of Lobbyists The bill could “die”

STEP #3 Debated on the floor in each house Argue whether or not to support a bill A filibuster can happen only in the Senate

From Bill to Law (cont.) (pages 158– 161) How does a filibuster work? A filibuster takes advantage of the Senate’s custom of allowing members to speak as long as they like on whatever topics they like. In a filibuster, one member can hold the floor for hour after hour, delaying a vote until the bill’s sponsor gives up and withdraws the measure. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.

Strom Thurmond Thurmond supported racial segregation with the longest filibuster ever conducted by a single senator, speaking for 24 hours and 18 minutes in an unsuccessful attempt to derail the Civil Rights Act of filibusterCivil Rights Act of 1957 Cots were brought in from a nearby hotel for the legislators to sleep on while Thurmond rambled on about random things.

Step #4 Voted on in both houses Needs to pass by a majority vote in both houses

STEP #5 Send the bill to the president to sign into law If the president does not sign the bill then it is vetoed. He can ignore the bill for 10 days and it “dies” and it becomes a pocket veto.

Does the bill still have a chance if the president vetoes it? Congress can override a presidential veto of a bill and make it a law by a 2/3 vote of Congress.

Why do few bills actually become laws? The process provides many opportunities for a bill to be killed.

Homework