Legislative Process in Congress Chapter 13, Theme E AP Government Selina Jarvis

Paradox: Functions of Congress 1. Lawmaking 2. Representation  Are these two things compatible?  Quick overview of process  Government and Politics&lesson=18&topic=1&width=800&height=684&topicTitle=Route%20of%20 a%20Bill%20through%20Congress&skinPath= ocampus.skins/default Government and Politics&lesson=18&topic=1&width=800&height=684&topicTitle=Route%20of%20 a%20Bill%20through%20Congress&skinPath= ocampus.skins/default Government and Politics&lesson=18&topic=1&width=800&height=684&topicTitle=Route%20of%20 a%20Bill%20through%20Congress&skinPath= ocampus.skins/default

Lawmaking: Trustee focus Goal=solutions to national problems Responsibilities: 1. Legislative Oversight- Oversee what Exec. Br. & bureaucracy is doing 2. Educate Public- Avenue through which public can be informed about pending legislation—Hearings held 3. Resolves conflict—Treaty approval, clarify through legislation 4. Provide security—Funds military & other security forces, creates new ones via laws.

Representation: Delegate Focus Goal=represent constituents of their districts and protect their interests Responsibilities: 1. Services to constituents Exs? 2. Protect districts generally protect interests within district Exs.? 3. Pork-channel federal funds into their districts Exs.?

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 1: Creation Draft a bill- anyone can draft a bill, only members of Congress can introduce one Draft a bill- anyone can draft a bill, only members of Congress can introduce one –Ideas may come from lawmaker, constituents, special interest groups, etc. –Factors to consider:  “ideal law”- Can it pass?  What is content? How much money is asked for? Who is going to implement the bill? (Power)

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 2: Introduction All appropriation bills begin in the HOR. This includes the federal budget. All appropriation bills begin in the HOR. This includes the federal budget. HOR bill is put in the hopper. Senator is recognized. After 1 st reading, it is titled & numbered. (HR or S) HOR bill is put in the hopper. Senator is recognized. After 1 st reading, it is titled & numbered. (HR or S) Referral- Speaker/Leaders decides which committee bill is sent to. Usually multiple committees (multiple referrals) look at new bill, esp. in HOR Referral- Speaker/Leaders decides which committee bill is sent to. Usually multiple committees (multiple referrals) look at new bill, esp. in HOR *BCD= bill can die!

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 3: Committee Action Standing Committee Considers Standing Committee Considers –Vehicle by which bills are sorted through—reduce # –Senate committees consider confirmations of all appointments & approval by 2/3 of all treaties. –Committee Actions  Sent to subcommittee to study & recommend  Pigeonhole bill  Public Hearings held on bill  Mark up session  Full Committee vote to report out or not *BCD

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 4: Floor Senate uses unanimous consent to bring to floor Senate uses unanimous consent to bring to floor House Rules Committee- important to leadership of Congress; under direct control of Speaker. Makes rules regarding how bill will be debated on floor and when (and if) it reaches floor House Rules Committee- important to leadership of Congress; under direct control of Speaker. Makes rules regarding how bill will be debated on floor and when (and if) it reaches floor 3 types of rules: 3 types of rules: 1. Open- any amendments can be offered (Germane only in HOR) 2. Closed- no amendments (typical of majority party & nearly all appropriation bills in HOR) 3. Modified- Combination of two- ex. Certain types of amendments

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 5: Voting- complicated process Basic steps: 1.Adopt rules (HOR) 2.Debate by paragraph 1.HOR time limits—usually 5 minutes 2.Filibuster/Cloture 3.Amending phase, usually Senate 4.Vote (HOR: Roll Call/Teller; Senate: Voice, Standing or Roll Call/Teller) *BCD

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 6: Other House If bill makes it this far, it now goes to the other house for consideration. If bill makes it this far, it now goes to the other house for consideration. The process of steps 1-5 is repeated in the other house The process of steps 1-5 is repeated in the other house*BCD

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 7: Conference Conference Committee- composed of supporters from both chambers of both parties Conference Committee- composed of supporters from both chambers of both parties Must make compromise bill identical in language then send it back to House and Senate for re-approval.*BCD Must make compromise bill identical in language then send it back to House and Senate for re-approval.*BCD

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 8: Re-approval Vote on Conference Committee Bill must be successful in both chambers. Vote on Conference Committee Bill must be successful in both chambers. If successful- Bill moves to President’s desk If successful- Bill moves to President’s desk*BCD

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 9: Presidential Approval President gets bill President gets bill –Can sign- bill becomes a law –Can veto- bill with veto message goes back to house of Congress that originated –Can set aside (Becomes law after 10 days w/o signature) –Can pocket veto *BCD

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 10: Override If vetoed- 2/3 majority needed in both chambers to override If vetoed- 2/3 majority needed in both chambers to override If overridden, bill becomes law. If overridden, bill becomes law. –According to the Congressional Research service, from , only 107 of 1,484 regular presidential vetoes were overridden by Congress.

Results of the Legislative Process What Happened in the 110th Congress? Total number of bills introduced: (3724 in Senate, 7335 in House) Total number of bills introduced: (3724 in Senate, 7335 in House) Total number of bills that became law: 442 (134 introduced in Senate, 308 introduced in House) Total number of bills that became law: 442 (134 introduced in Senate, 308 introduced in House) Percentage of bills that became law: 4% Percentage of bills that became law: 4% Most popular stage for a bill to die: Committee of the chamber bill is introduced in. Most popular stage for a bill to die: Committee of the chamber bill is introduced in. phs/stagehistogram.html phs/stagehistogram.html

More Results In the 111th Congress, the House and Senate passed 383 bills through both houses which were signed into law by the President. In the 111th Congress, the House and Senate passed 383 bills through both houses which were signed into law by the President. In the 111th Congress, the House and Senate passed 2 bills through both houses which were vetoed by the President. Neither were overridden.