1. How a Bill Becomes a Law

2. Influences on Law-making
There are two major forces impacting Congressional law-making
External influences
Constituency
Interest groups
Internal/governmental influences
Party leadership
Congressional colleagues
President/executive branch

3. Influences on Law-making
Influence from the Constituency
Members of Congress comply with views of constituents due to re-election need
They voluntarily anticipate or find out constituents’ positions
1998, 31 House democrats crossed the party line and voted in favor of an impeachment inquiry (e.g., Congressman Gary Condit)

4. Influences from Interest Groups
Mobilize followers in a member’s congressional districts
“Astroturf lobbying”
Provide information

5. Influences from Party Org
Party leaders in Congress have influence over members
Party organizations have resources:
Leadership PACs
PACs (1) raise funds and then (2) distribute to members for running for election
PACs enhance party power
PACs create bond between leaders & members who receive money
Committee Assignments
Access to Floor
The whip system communication network, with info on member intentions in voting
Logrolling

6. Influences from the President
Since 1940s, President submitted yearly legislative proposals to Congress
Since mid-1950s, Congress has looked to the President for legislative proposals

7. How a Bill Becomes Law Some facts:
For a bill to become law, there are many routine hurdles
It is easier for opponents to kill a bill than to pass it
The law-making process is highly political

8. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps Introducing legislation
Who can introduce legislative proposals?
Members of Congress
Executive branch
Interest groups
Constituents

9. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps 2. Assignment to Committee
Given a number in House preceded by “H. R.” and by “S” in Senate
Bill referred to a committee
Most bills assigned to the appropriate committees
Complex bills referred to several committees
Controversial bills are sometimes handled by temporary or ad hoc committees set up for that purpose

10. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps 2. Assignment to Committee
Often, nothing happens to the bills in committee. Neglect leads to death of many bills
Bills to be acted on are often referred to the appropriate sub-committees.

11. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps 3. Hearing
Once the sub-committee or full committee decides to act, hearings are held participated by:
Executive agency representatives
Academia
Interest groups
Other interested persons
In a typical two-year Congress
Senate: 1200 hearings
House: 2300 hearings

12. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps 4. Reporting a Bill
When a sub-committee decides to act on a bill, it drafts it line by line
It reports it to the full committee
The full committee accepts, rejects or amends the bill.

13. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps 5. Schedule Debate
When a committee agrees to submit a bill to the two houses, it is put on the House & Senate calendar, a list bills for action
Each house has different calendars for different bills
In House, non-controversial bills are put on the Consent Calendar or Private Calendar to be passed without debate

14. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps 5. Schedule Debate
Each house has different calendars for different bills
Controversial or important bills are placed on the Union Calendar or house Calendar. Rules & procedures (length of debate) are requested from the Rules Committee. Define the following: filibuster, cloture, open rule, closed rule.

15. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps 6. Debate & Amendment
Opponents & proponents have equal debate time
Relevant amendments, if allowed, can be added
Floor debate seldom change views of others
In Senate, debate can last long time
In Senate, filibuster can be used
Senators can propose amendments irrelevant to the bill.

16. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps 7. The Vote
How do members vote? What impact their voting behavior?
Personal views
Opinions of the constituents
Advice of knowledgeable & trusted colleagues Occasionally, President can win over wavering members of their Party to stick with the team or by cutting deals with pivotal members.
It is important for members to cast an explainable vote, one that is defendable in public when challenged.

17. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps 7. The Vote
How do members vote? What impact their voting behavior?
It is important for members to cast an explainable vote, one that is defendable in public when challenged.
Not every vote has to please the constituents. But, too many “bad” votes are costly and show distance with one’s folks at home.

18. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps 8. In Conference Committee
Once passed, a bill is sent to the other chamber for consideration
If the 2nd chamber passes the bill, it is then sent to the White House for action.
But, controversial bills need to go to a Conference Committee to reconcile the differences in the two versions of the bills
After Conference, details of the bill are reported back to each chamber before sending to the President.

19. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps 7. To the President
Approve the bill into law
Ignore it, with the result it becomes law in 10 days (not including weekend & when Congress is still in session)
Veto it (& facing override in Congress)
Pocket veto it (if Congress adjourns before the 10 days are up) When President vetoes a bill, he usually explains why he does so.

20. How a Bill Becomes Law The Law-making Steps
7. Congressional Override of Veto
A two-thirds majority is required in each chamber to override the Presidential veto