How a Bill Becomes a Law Libertyville HS – Government

How a Bill... Class of 216 Bill Introducing a bill HR (House Resolution) 216: ??? Bill written and introduced in House or Senate In our example, bill introduced by US Representative Brad Schneider in the House of Reps. Rep. Schneider

From Introduction to House Committee After introduction, bill assigned to Standing Committee based on its subject matter Subject matter = what the bill is all about Our example = ?????? Once in committee, generally referred to subcommittee Swearing in a witness, Senate hearing

Subcommittee Action Study Review documents, examine evidence of problem Hearings Hear from experts, proponents, opponents Revision Amendments (changes) to bill Vote by subcommittee Yes = goes to Committee No = bill dies Transportation subcommittee Hearing testimony

Full Committee Consideration Hearings Hear testimony from experts, proponents, opponents Revisions Amendments (changes) to bill Full committee vote Yes = goes to House floor (via Rules Comm.) No = bill dies MOST BILLS DIE IN COMMITTEE!!! Bill Gates testifying at a US Senate committee hearing

From Standing Committee to Rules Committee “Rules” set for bill Governs floor action for bill (length of debate, # of amendments) Sets calendar of debate on house floor (order of bills) “Privileged” bills go to the floor out of order of the legislative calendar – whenever Speaker wants Rules Room

House Floor Action and Passage Debate Each political party gets a certain amount of time to speak Floor amendments Changes to bill proposed during debate Floor vote Yes = bill passes to Senate No = bill dies For gavel to gavel coverage For the political junkies... C-SPANC-SPAN!

How a Bill Becomes a law: Interlude I’m just a bill...

Second Chamber Consideration In our example, our bill goes to the Senate and is given a Senate number S 911 Bill assigned to a standing committee In our case, what standing committee? Senate Chamber

Senate Subcommittee Action Bill referred to subcommittee More study More Hearings More revision (amendments) Subcommittee vote Yes = bill goes to full committee No = bill dies

Full Committee Consideration Hearings Revision (amendments) Committee vote If yes, goes to Senate floor If no, bill dies Senate leadership takes a position on bill (for or against) Senate hearing on Insurance reform

Senate Floor Action Senate debate No limits on how long a senator may speak Ex – Sen. Ted CruzTed Cruz Filibuster possible Talking a bill to deathTalking Purpose = to assure the political minority’s viewpoint is considered Lead to compromise Closing off debate is called cloture Requires 60 votes (3/5) Very rare; generally, compromise occurs

Senate Floor Action Senate floor vote Yes If no revisions in senate, bill goes to the president If bill has been revised (amended) in Senate, then bill must go to Conference Committee No = bill dies Senate floor vote on bailout package, 2009

Conference Committee Constitution requires all legislation passed by both chambers to be identical Conference Committees are appointed to resolve differences ad hoc committees (means for the particular purpose) Appointed by the four leaders of the House, Senate Usually the senior members of the House, Senate standing committees Does not have to be equal in numbers from the H & S Must hold at least one public hearing meeting

Conference Committee Report (CCR) Negotiations of members = CCR Majority of members from each chamber must agree to language of CCR If agreed, the CCR goes to House, Senate Entire House and Senate must each approve the CCR If yes, bill goes to president If no, bill dies

Checks and Balances: The President President can sign bill, and it becomes law President can veto bill Returns to both House and Senate House, Senate may vote to overturn veto Need 2/3 votes in each chamber to overturn veto Pocket Veto Constitution says president must sign or veto a bill within 10 days, not counting Sundays If no action and Congress in session, bill becomes law If no action and Congress is NOT in session (adjourned), bill dies (PV)