bill to law
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How Congress WorksHow Congress Works
The Legislative ProcessThe Legislative Process
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A Bill v. A Law
Bill - a proposed new law introduced within a legislature that has not yet been passed, enacted or adopted
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A Bill v. A Law
Law - a bill or act passed by a legislative body
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Types of BillsTypes of Bills
• public bill – proposed legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern and application
• private bill – a proposed legislative bill that deals with specific private, personal, or local matters rather than general affairs
• appropriation bill – legislative motion authorizing the government to spend money
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Types of ResolutionsTypes of Resolutions
• simple resolution – measure dealing with “house-keeping” or procedural matters that only affect one house
• joint resolution – measure when approved by both houses and the president carries the force of law
• concurrent resolution – legislative motion that must be approved by both houses, but does not have the force of law
resolutionresolution - - a measure expressing opinions on policies or issues
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Legislator Representative
Committee Member
Partisan
Politician
Congressmen Wear Many Hats
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Delegate
Trustee
How should I vote? My
constituents first or my country???
Floor vote on the Energy
Bill!
A Congressman’s Balancing ActA Congressman’s Balancing Act
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Navigating the Legislative Navigating the Legislative Obstacle CourseObstacle Course
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Step 1: An Idea for a BillStep 1: An Idea for a Bill
Private Citizen
Private Citizen
Member(s) of CongressMember(s) of Congress
Federal Agency
Federal AgencyWhite HouseWhite House
Interest Group
Interest Group
Governor(s)Governor(s) Mayor(s)
Mayor(s)
Sources:Sources:
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Step 2: Writing & Introduction of BillStep 2: Writing & Introduction of Bill
Senate:• Bill formerly
read aloud on floor
• Bill then given to clerk
• Referred to committee by Steering Committee
House:• Bill dropped in hopper• Referred to committee
by the Speaker
Sen. Smith introduces bill on the Senate floorSen. Smith introduces bill on the Senate floor
~ ~ Mr. Smith Goes to WashingtonMr. Smith Goes to Washington
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Step 3: Committee ActionStep 3: Committee Action
• House & Senate committees conduct public hearings
• Experts testify
• Markup of bills
• Committee vote: report favorably, unfavorably, or table bill
House Armed Services CommitteeHouse Armed Services Committee
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Step 4: Floor Action - SenateStep 4: Floor Action - Senate• Party leaders schedule
bills for floor debate on the calendar
• Unlimited debate• Filibuster - member(s)
keep talking to block debate on a bill
• Cloture vote by 3/5 of Senators (60) can end filibuster
• Floor vote: Roll Call, Standing, Voice Senator Strum Thurman still holds the record for the longest Senator Strum Thurman still holds the record for the longest
filibuster - 24 hrs 18 min. on the 1957 Civil Rights Actfilibuster - 24 hrs 18 min. on the 1957 Civil Rights Act
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Step 4: Floor Action - HouseStep 4: Floor Action - House•
Rules Committee schedules bills on calendar & decides whether amendments may be added
• Limited debate
• Floor vote: Recorded, Standing, Voice
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Step 5: Approved Bill Step 5: Approved Bill Crosses Over to Other HouseCrosses Over to Other House
• Approved bill must pass each chamber by a simple majority
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Step 6: Conference CommitteeStep 6: Conference Committee
• Members from each chamber meet to reconcile differences in the two bills
Senate-House Conference Committee works out details of the 2003 Senate-House Conference Committee works out details of the 2003 Healthy Forest Restoration ActHealthy Forest Restoration Act
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Step 7: Both Chambers Vote on Final Step 7: Both Chambers Vote on Final Version of the BillVersion of the Bill
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Step 8: President Considers BillStep 8: President Considers Bill
President can:
1. sign the bill into law
2. veto bill
3. pocket veto
Note: Congress can override veto with 2/3 vote in each house; only 4% of vetos have been overriden
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Critical Thinking:Critical Thinking:
Fact: About 5,000 bills are introduced in Congress every Fact: About 5,000 bills are introduced in Congress every year, but only about 150 are signed into law.year, but only about 150 are signed into law.
1.1. Explain why so few bills become law.Explain why so few bills become law.
2.2. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
3. Should the legislative process in Congress be reformed? If yes, what changes would you recommend? If not, why not?
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Title: Imagine there’s no Congress Artist: Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-GazetteDate: 6/06/07 Source: http://www.politicalcartoons.com/
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Title: Breaking the Filibuster is not EnoughSource: http://www.republicanvoices.org/may_2005_newsletter.html
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Artist: RJ MatsonDate: 6/14/07
Source: http://themoderatevoice.com/category/politics/political-cartoons/
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Source: http://bigpicture.typepad.com/ Date: 5/6/06