Aim: How does a bill become a law? Do Now: Think of a law that you would like introduced in this country. Would your bill have popular support? Explain.
Watch the following and write down each step in the lawmaking process: Schoolhouse Rock: I'm Just a Bill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-eYBZFEzf8
How a Bill Becomes a Law 1. Proposal in either house (bill to raise revenue must be introduced in House) a. Sponsor introduces it-places it in hopper assigned ID number
2. Refer to committee a. In each house bills are sent to committees that deal with specific topics or subjects (i.e. crime, transportation, the environment) hearings are held can be pigeonholed-put aside or ignored Referred to Subcommittee
Committee
3. Mark Up – The full committee (in the House of Reps 3. Mark Up – The full committee (in the House of Reps.) or the sub and/or full committee (in the Senate) edit and go through exact wording line by line 4. Order the Bill – The full committee must approve after mark up 5. Publish a Report – (report it out) Committee chair orders a public report which explains the nature of the bill, expert opinions, president’s position, and other important details
6. Get a Date – Bill goes back to the floor of the house in which it originated and must get a date 7. Win two chambers: a. Debates - The bill is debated on the floor of each house i. Time limit in House, but not in Senate where it can be filibustered – endlessly debated, and never voted on. ii. Cloture: 60 votes can end Filibuster iii. “Nuclear Option” – simple majority can end filibusters of presidential appointments to federal courts and other positions, but not the Supreme Court, where the 60 vote cloture rule still stands.
ii. Vote-simple majority iii. sent to other house and voted upon 8. Signing by pres. (or veto, pocket veto if congress is set to adjourn within ten days) 9. overriding veto requires 2/3 vote of both houses
Other Important Terms Public Bill: A legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern Private Bill: A legislative bill that deals only with specific, private, personal, or local matters Discharge Petition: a device by which any member of the House, after a committee has had the bill for thirty days, may petition to have it brought to the floor Closed Rule: an order from the House Rules Committee that sets a time limit on debate and forbids a bill from being amended on the floor Open Rule: An order from the House Rules Committee that permits a bill to be amended on the floor Restrictive Rule: An order from the House Rules Committee that permits certain kinds of amendments but not others to be made into a bill on the floor. Quorum: the minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress
Critical Thinking: Fact: About 5,000 bills are introduced in Congress every year, but only about 150 are signed into law. Explain why so few bills become law. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Should the legislative process in Congress be reformed? If yes, what changes would you recommend? If not, why not?