Unit 6.1 Congress and Lawmaking

I. Working Together in Lawmaking A.Debate Clause- Art I Sec 6- Gives members of Congress immunity from lawsuits for statements made in legislative chambers B.Compromise- blending and adjusting competing views and interests to accomplish something C.Consensus- agreement between groups D.Negotiation- meet and talk with others to create compromise or agreement

II. Congressional Organization A.Congressional committees- established groups on specific issues for oversight, management, or writing legislation 1.standing committees- permanent committees

2.select committees- temporary committees that deal with specific issues (usually just to investigate) 3.joint committees- has members of both houses 4.subcommittees- smaller within committees -Veterans' Affairs, -Armed Services -Energy and Natural Resources -Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions -Select Committee on Intelligence -Armed Services -Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions -Small Business and Entrepreneurship -Committee on Energy and Commerce -Subcommittee on Health -Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection

B.Committee Assignments 1.Seniority system- senators and reps who have been in longest get preferred committee spots 2.Party in power controls chairmanship

III. How a Bill Becomes a Law A.Types of Bills Passed 1.Private Bills- individual people or places 2.Public Bills- apply to entire nation and involve general matters (ex: taxation, Medicare) $116 Billion for Katrina relief HR America's Affordable Health Choices Act

3.Resolutions- formal approved statements on lawmakers opinions or decisions a.Joint Resolution- passed by both houses and law if signed by President (same as a bill) b.Non-binding Resolutions - are not law but just say lawmakers opinions

B.Step 1- Introducing 1.Can start in either Senate or House 2.A Senator or a Representative introduce a bill for Congress to consider a.Given title and number b.Other congressmen can attach their names

C.Step 2- Committee Action 1.Proposed bill is sent to appropriate committee 2.Committee can: a.Pass bill as is b.Pass bill w/changes c.Replace w/new bill d.Ignore bill to die (“pigeonholing”) e.Kill bill w/majority vote

D.Step 3- Debating 1.Bills passed in committee go for consideration by the whole House or Senate 2.Rules of Debate- In the House, Rules Committee sets terms for debate, usually time limits

3.Filibuster- talking a bill to death a.In Senate, no time limit for speaking b.Senator can delay vote by speaking for hours until the bill’s sponsor withdraws it c.Vote for cloture- end filibuster with 3/5 vote (most bills must pass with 60 votes)

E.Step 4- Voting 1.voice vote- verbally say “Yea” or “No” 2.standing vote- stand and be counted for yes or no 3.roll-call vote- respond when names are called

F.Step 5- Sent to Other House 1.If bill passed in one house, it is sent to the other for approval 2.Senate and House must pass identical bills 3.If disagreements, a conference committee from both houses meets to work out differences

G.Step 6- Signing 1.President can sign 2.President can veto (Congress can override with 2/3 but this is rare) 3.President can do nothing a.If Congress is in session, bill passes b.If not, it is pocket vetoed

Senate Committees Group 1: Environment and Public Works Group 2: Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Group 3: Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Group 4: Finance Group 5: Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Group 6: Commerce, Science, and Transportation Group 7: Foreign Relations Group 8: Budget Group 9: Energy & Natural Resources Come up with an idea of a bill that you think should be passed by Congress.

Brainstorm first on what type of bill you would like to propose. Everyone needs to participate in the bill making process There will need to be a –Secretary: who writes up the bill –Reader: Reads sample bills –Runner: Gets all material & puts all material away. –Team Captain: Makes sure everyone is on task and delegates responsibilities