The Legislative Process How Congress Works

Helping Constituents As a lawmaker- sponsoring bills that benefit constituents. Committee work- supporting the wishes of constituents through committees. Problem solving- case work What: helping constituents with their problems Who: Congressional staff Why: to get reelected, help individuals deal with a large federal gov., & helps to oversee the executive branch, help District/State

As a Lawmaker Pork Barrel Legislation- get “stuff” Post Offices, dams, highways, etc. Federal Grants- gain federal projects for their District/State Keep Federal Projects- prevent them from leaving their District/State

Passing a Bill Stage One First Reading- clerk gives the bill a number and a title; The Speaker sends it to a committee Committee- most work is done in subcommittee Recommends bill be passed Pigeonhole set bill aside & ignore it report an amended bill

Calendars House Union-revenue & appropriations House- all other public bills Private- for leadership Consent- minor bills which there is little opposition Discharge- discharge bill from committee Senate General Orders Executive

Stage Two Floor Action Quorum- minimum number of members required to carry on official business House Committee of the Whole- 100 House of Representatives- 218 Senate- 51

Rules for Debate House Rules Committee Designed for the whole Open- allows longer time & non-germane amending Closed- strict time & little to no amending Modified- allows only germane amending Germane amending- an amendment must be directly relevant to the bill.

Debate in the Senate Designed for the individual Unlimited debate time Filibuster- talking a bill to death Cloture- 3/5s vote to limit debate

Stage Three Both houses must pass identical versions of the bill Conference Committee- made up of members from both houses to compromise 2 versions of a bill

Presidential Action Sign (bill becomes law) Allow it to become law without signature in 10 days Veto Pocket Veto- if Congress adjourns before the 10 days Congress may override a veto with 2/3s vote

The Organization of Congress: Committees Legislative Committee- most important feature of Congress Consider bills or legislative proposals (it’s estimated that only 6% of the bills introduced in Congress are ever reported by a committee for floor action). Maintain oversight of executive agencies Conduct investigations

Types of Committees Standing committees- permanent bodies with specific legislative responsibilities(19 in House; 17 in Senate) Select Committees- groups appointed for a limited purpose & limited duration (Organized Crime, Terrorism) Joint Committees- those on which both representatives & senators serve Conference Committee- a joint committee appointed to resolve differences in Senate & House versions of the same piece of legislation before final passage.

Committee Practices Majority party has the majority of seats on the committee Each member usually serves on 2 standing committees, but House members usually serve on 1 exclusive committee Senators receive 2 major & 1 minor committee assignments

Committee Practices (cont) Seniority Rule- the most important posts will be held by “ranking members” Committee Chairmen/women- ranking members of the majority party who decides when the committee will meet, which bills they will hear, & guides the passages of bills from his/her committee