HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW

…BUT TODAY I AM STILL JUST A BILL.

The Congressional Process

Presidents and Congress: Partners and Protagonists Presidents attempt to persuade Congress

that what they want is what Congress wants. Presidents have many resources to influence

Congress. But to succeed, the president must win at

least 10 times. Ultimately, residential leadership of Congress

is at the margins.

The Congressional Process Party, Constituency, and Ideology

Party Influence: Party leaders cannot force party members to vote a

particular way, but many do vote along party lines. Reciprocity/logrolling – “I scratch your back, you scratch

mine” Constituency versus Ideology

Prime determinant of member’s vote on most issues is ideology

On most issues that are not salient, legislators may ignore constituency opinion.

But on controversial issues, members are wise to heed constituent opinion.

HOUSE1A The bill is proposed in the

House of Representatives. Placed in a hopper-a box on the

clerk’s desk Clerk reads bill Rider-a provision attached to the bill

Not necessarily related to the bill

THIS IS THE 1ST READING.

HOUSE 2A

Bill is referred to a standing committee for consideration.

HOUSE 3A

Standing committee revises bill through subcommittee process. Actions that can occur here:

1. Pigeonhole bill: kill the bill2. Change and approve the bill and

send forward3. Approve the bill as it is and send

forward

HOUSE 4A

Rules committee determines when the bill can be taken up and voted upon by the full House.

HOUSE 5A

House debates the bill and votes for its passage. Once approved after 2nd reading, the bill is

printed in its final form. 3rd reading occurs with a final vote. If approved, Speaker signs it and it is sent

to the Senate for approval.

THIS IS THE 2ND AND 3RD READING.

SENATE 1B

The bill is proposed in the Senate. Introduced by Senators Read twice

SENATE 2B

Bill is referred to a standing committee for consideration.

SENATE 3B

Standing committee revises bill through subcommittee process. Actions that can occur here:

1. Pigeonhole bill: kill the bill2. Change and approve the bill and

send forward3. Approve the bill as it is and send

forward

SENATE 4B?

NO 4B. WHY?

BECAUSE THE SENATE DOES NOT HAVE A RULES COMMITTEE.

SENATE 5B Senate debates the bill and

votes for passage. Senators can debate for as long as

they please. Filibuster: a Senator or group of

Senators monopolizing the debate in order to prevent a bill from being passed

LONGEST BY 1 PERSON: 24 HOURS 18 MINUTES!!!

HOUSE & SENATE 6A/6B

House-Senate conference committee reconciles 2 versions of the bill. Only used if there are different

versions of the bill after going through both houses.

HOUSE 7A

If compromise is made in the conference committee… House approves compromised version

of the bill.

SENATE 7B

If compromise is made in the conference committee… Senate approves compromised

version of the bill.

HOUSE & SENATE 8A/8B President signs or vetoes the bill.

If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can override it with a 2/3 vote in each house.