Transcript How a Bill becomes a Law.

How a Bill becomes a
Law
Congress (inefficiency) at work
I’m Just a Bill
Death lurks around every corner
Less than 10% of legislation introduced is
passed into law.
Multi-stage process.
Bills must successfully pass through each stage.
Legislation may originate in either house (except
tax measures).
Ultimately, a bill will need the consent of the
House, Senate and President to become law (or
2/3rds of Congress to override a veto).
Types of Legislation
Bill a proposed law
Joint Resolution same as a bill,
but deals with a
temporary/limited matter
Concurrent Resolution used to
express an opinion of
Congress, or change a rule in
both houses
Simple Resolution used to
express the opinion or change
a rule in a single house
Rider (earmark) a measure
that would not pass on it’s own
is attached to a more popular
bill to “ride” through the
legislative process (pork
barreling)
Step 1 – House first legislation
Introduced by a member
(thrown in the hopper)
and assigned to a
standing committee.
Most bills are then
referred to a
subcommittee
Committee at work
 Research and
investigate (hearings)
 Hearings
 May require a junket
Committee Options
Pass the bill
Table the bill (most common)
Amend the bill
Rewrite the bill (committee bill)
Pass the bill un-recommended
Discharge Petition House action that
forces a bill out of committee (requires a
majority vote)
Step 2 – House Rules Committee
Puts the debate and vote on a bill on the
House calendar.
Sets the rules for debate.
Keeps House business moving.
Step 3 - House Floor
On assigned date, the
legislation is debated
following the set rules.
Floor vote is then taken
Types of vote
 Voice
 Standing
 Teller
 Roll Call (most
common)
Step 4 - Senate
Committee phase – same
as in the House
No Rules Committee
 Hold used by senators
to prevent debate on a
bill till they consent.
 Filibuster used by the
minority to “talk” a bill
to death.
 Cloture vote of sixty
senators to end a
filibuster.
Floor Vote
Step 5 – Conference Committee
If needed step.
Committee that works out language
differences between the versions of a bill
that passed the House and Senate.
Final version sent back to House and
Senate for a final vote.
Step 6 – Presidential Options
Sign the bill into law
Veto the bill – its is then
returned for a possible
2/3rds vote of Congress to
override
Take no action


Bill becomes law within 10
days if Congress is in
session.
Pocket Veto the bill dies
after 10 days if Congress is
not in session.
Items for Chapter 7 Quiz
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Size, term length and membership requirements for
both houses of Congress.
Informal requirements for members of Congress/basic
demographics of the group.
Expressed powers of Congress (Art. I section 8)
Strict v. liberal interpretation of the Constitution.
“Necessary and proper clause.”
Leadership structure of Congress.
Role of and types of committees.
How a bill becomes a law.
Influences over how members of Congress vote.