1. The Legislative Process
American Government
Unit 3 Legislative Branch

2. What does this political cartoon represent?

3. “I’m Just A Bill” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyeJ55o3El0
Can someone volunteer to summarize what happened to the bill to become a law?

4. How a Bill Becomes a Law
Bill → Law

5. Why it Matters!!!
The lawmaking process is quite complicated – Indeed, it may be likened to a very difficult obstacle course. Only a small fraction of the bills introduced in either House survive.

6. The Number of Bills That Become Laws (Less than 10%)
Definitions You Need:
Filibuster – To Talk A Bill To Death
Cloture Rule – Limits debate on a given Bill
Veto – Presidential rejection of a Bill
Pocket Veto – Letting a Bill expire by holding on to it; after Congress adjourns it fails to become a Law
Bills
Bills
Bills
Bills
Bills
Measures Introduced
9,134
Reported by Committee
1,062
Passed in One Chamber
1,231
Passed by Both
Chambers
411
Laws
Laws
Laws
377 Public Laws Created

7. Types of Bills & Resolutions
Bills – A proposed law
Public Bill - applies to the entire nation
Private bill - applies to certain people or places
Resolution – A measure dealing with some matter in one house.
Does not have the Force of Law
Does not require the President’s signature

8. Types of Bills & Resolutions (Continued)
Joint Resolution – A proposal for some action that has the Force of Law when passed (President’s signature), usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters.
Concurrent Resolution – A statement of position on an issue, adopted by the House and Senate acting jointly.
Does not have the Force of Law
Does not require the President’s signature

10. HR1 Introduced in the House S1 Introduced in the Senate
Introduction
Introduction
HR1 Introduced in the House
S1 Introduced in the Senate
Committee Action
Committee Action
S1 Referred to Standing Committee. Then to Sub-Committee for more Study, Hearings, Revisions, and Approval.
Back to Committee for MORE hearings and revisions
HR1 Referred to Standing Committee. Back to the Full Committee for more Hearing and Revisions
Floor Action
Floor Action
HR1 Debated, then Passed or Defeated. If Passed it goes to the Senate
S1 Debated then passed or Defeated. If Passed it goes to the House

11. Resolves differences between House and Senate Bills
Conference Committee
Resolves differences between House and Senate Bills
Congressional Approval
House and Senate Vote on Final Passage
President Action
Signs and Bill Becomes Law
Veto (subject to Overturning by 2/3s Majority of BOTH Chambers)
Hold for Ten Days then Bill Becomes Laws
Pocket Veto

12. Committees Action
Committees can pigeonhole a bill, meaning they can kill it by majority vote or simply ignore it

13. What are the 4 methods for voting on a bill?

14. What does this cartoon represent? What is the irony?

15. Lobbying Opener

16. Lobbyists
Representatives of interest groups are called lobbyists, who try to convince members of Congress to support policies favored by the groups they represent. These efforts are known as lobbying.
Largest and most powerful lobbies have full-time staffs and permanent buildings
Provide lawmakers with information, visit lawmakers in office, encourage citizens to write to members of Congress on issues.
Focus attention on congressional committees
Do you think Lobbying is right? Should Congress be influenced by Lobbyists?
What if you could lobby your teacher? How would you lobby me to give you answers to your exam? (Not going to happen by the way!)

17. 4 Methods for Taking Floor Votes in the House of Representatives:
Voice Vote: The members answer in chorus.
Standing Vote: Division of the House.
Roll Call Vote: Name is called in alphabetical order.
Recorded Vote – Recorded electronically and displayed on panels.

18. Explain the steps in the legislative process (bill law)
You will be assigned with a partner. It is your job to become an expert on your assigned topic and “teach” it to the class.
Explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate
Explain the steps in the legislative process (bill law)
Explain the different positions of leadership in the Legislative Branch.
Describe the influence of lobbyists