Congress in Action Chapter 12

Section 3 and 4 How a bill Becomes a Law

Steps to the Legislative Process Introduce Legislation Assigned to a Committee Hearings Reporting the Bill Debate and Amendment Voting on the Bill Conference Passed to President http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nKyihoV9z8&feature=related

Drafting Legislation Legislation may be drafted by: Private Citizens Scholars Interest Groups Representatives President

Reading the Bill Quorum* Bill is given a number (H.R. 287 or S. 254) Bill is given a short title Clerk reads through the bill the first time. Bill is read two more times throughout the legislative process.

Introduction of Legislation Introduced to House or Senate by Representative. House member must hand bill to the clerk to be placed in the “hopper.” Senate member who has the floor may introduce legislation during the morning hour. (First 90 mins on Mon and Tue)

Assigned to a Committee Bill is assigned a number after it has been introduced. Next it is assigned to the appropriate committee. Many bills die here.

Hearings Information about the bill is gathered by the committee or a sub-committee Witnesses give testimony about legislation

Reporting a Bill Bill may be reported: Favorably Unfavorably As Committee Bill Not at all

Scheduling Debate The bill is presented to the House or the Senate. Debate must be scheduled first. House schedules debate on one of several calendars Senate only has one calendar for scheduling debate for a bill

Debate Committee Chairs are responsible for managing debate and steering bills through the house or senate. Second reading in the House occurs. Debate House Senate Filibustering and Cloture Committee of the Whole

Amendment Bill may be changed by Amending it. Amendment may lead to the defeat of a bill.

Voting on the Bill Once a bill has been debated and amended, it is then voted on. Voice Vote Standing Vote Roll Call Vote If bill has been approved in one house it is considered engrossed. Printed in its final form and heads to the opposing house.

Conferences If a bill is passed in differing forms in either house. Joint Committee is formed, known as a conference committee Seeks to iron out differences in the legislation between the houses. If it is passed at this stage it goes to the president for final approval.

Passed to the President President can sign bill into law President can veto legislation Congress can override veto with 2/3 vote in both houses. Pocket Veto