How a Bill Becomes LawHow a Bill Becomes Law

Chapter 7Chapter 7

A.A. Types of Bills and ResolutionsTypes of Bills and Resolutions

• 1. Bills — these are proposed laws presented to Congress. Public bills 1. Bills — these are proposed laws presented to Congress. Public bills apply to the entire nation; private bills pertain to certain persons or places.apply to the entire nation; private bills pertain to certain persons or places.

• 2. Joint Resolutions- these deal with temporary or unusual matters, have 2. Joint Resolutions- these deal with temporary or unusual matters, have the possibility of gaining the force of law, must be passed by both houses, the possibility of gaining the force of law, must be passed by both houses, and must be signed by the President.and must be signed by the President.

• 3. Concurrent Resolutions — these deal with common concerns of both 3. Concurrent Resolutions — these deal with common concerns of both houses, don’t have the force of law, and do not require the President's houses, don’t have the force of law, and do not require the President's signature.signature.

• 4. Resolutions (simple) — Voted on by either house, but have no force of 4. Resolutions (simple) — Voted on by either house, but have no force of law; they usually are concerned with house rules and do not require the law; they usually are concerned with house rules and do not require the President's signature.President's signature.

• 5. Rider- is a provision not likely to pass on its own merit that is attached 5. Rider- is a provision not likely to pass on its own merit that is attached to an important measure.to an important measure.

B.B. Creating and Introducing BillsCreating and Introducing Bills• 1.Most bills are suggested by the executive branch, after coordination by OMB. 1.Most bills are suggested by the executive branch, after coordination by OMB.

a. Legislative agenda, based in part on their party's platform.a. Legislative agenda, based in part on their party's platform. b. The president's task is to persuade Congress that his agenda should also b. The president's task is to persuade Congress that his agenda should also

be Congress' agenda.be Congress' agenda. c. Presidents have many resources with which to influence Congress. c. Presidents have many resources with which to influence Congress.

• 1.1. Influence members directlyInfluence members directly• 2.2. More often will leave White House lobbying to the More often will leave White House lobbying to the

congressional liaison office.congressional liaison office.• 3.3. Work primarily through regular meetings with the Work primarily through regular meetings with the

party's leaders in the House and Senate.party's leaders in the House and Senate.• 2. Special interest groups often suggest ideas for bills, as do private citizens.2. Special interest groups often suggest ideas for bills, as do private citizens.• 3. All revenue-raising bills must begin in the House3. All revenue-raising bills must begin in the House• 4. All other bills may be introduced in either chamber.4. All other bills may be introduced in either chamber.

Library of Congress Library of Congress

C.C. The First ReadingThe First Reading

• 1. The first reading of a bill consists of the assignment of a house number, a 1. The first reading of a bill consists of the assignment of a house number, a short title, and entry into the House Journal and the Congressional Record for short title, and entry into the House Journal and the Congressional Record for the day.the day.

• 2. After its first reading, a bill is referred to the appropriate standing committee 2. After its first reading, a bill is referred to the appropriate standing committee for consideration by the Speaker.for consideration by the Speaker.

D.D. The Bill in CommitteeThe Bill in Committee

• 1. Most work is done by subcommittees.1. Most work is done by subcommittees.

• 2. Subcommittees complete their work and the measure returns to the full 2. Subcommittees complete their work and the measure returns to the full committee.committee.

a. The full committee may report the bill favorably to the full House with a a. The full committee may report the bill favorably to the full House with a "do pass" recommendation."do pass" recommendation.

b. The full committee may refuse to report the bill, or pigeonhole it.b. The full committee may refuse to report the bill, or pigeonhole it. c. A discharge petition enables members to force a bill out of a committee c. A discharge petition enables members to force a bill out of a committee

pigeonhole.pigeonhole. d. The full committee may report the bill in an amended form.d. The full committee may report the bill in an amended form. e. The full committee may report the bill unfavorably.e. The full committee may report the bill unfavorably. f. The full committee may report an entirely new bill.f. The full committee may report an entirely new bill.

E.E. Rules and CalendarsRules and Calendars• 1. Before reaching the floor of the House, a bill must be placed on one 1. Before reaching the floor of the House, a bill must be placed on one

of several calendars, or schedules, for deliberation. of several calendars, or schedules, for deliberation. • 2. Calendars: Lists of business eligible for consideration by legislative 2. Calendars: Lists of business eligible for consideration by legislative

bodies. bodies. • 3. House Rules Committee must give each bill a rule, or approval, as 3. House Rules Committee must give each bill a rule, or approval, as

well as the conditions under which a bill can be debated on the floor of well as the conditions under which a bill can be debated on the floor of the House of Representatives.the House of Representatives.

• 4. The House Rules Committee can kill a bill even after it has been 4. The House Rules Committee can kill a bill even after it has been recommended by a standing committee by refusing to perform any of recommended by a standing committee by refusing to perform any of the above.the above.

• Senate CalendarsSenate Calendars• House Calendars House Calendars

F.F. The Bill on the FloorThe Bill on the Floor

• 1. Bills are considered in the Committee of the Whole (the House sitting as a 1. Bills are considered in the Committee of the Whole (the House sitting as a large committee of itself). large committee of itself).

• 2. Debate — strict rules limit the length of each individual's debate.2. Debate — strict rules limit the length of each individual's debate.

• 3. Voting— a bill requires formal House vote. A quorum (majority of the full 3. Voting— a bill requires formal House vote. A quorum (majority of the full membership) is necessary. membership) is necessary.

• 4. A floor vote may be taken by:4. A floor vote may be taken by: a. Voice votes are the most common. Voice vote: A vote in the House of a. Voice votes are the most common. Voice vote: A vote in the House of

Representatives in which members shout "aye" or "no" and the chair Representatives in which members shout "aye" or "no" and the chair decides the result. decides the result.

b. Standing vote (demanded if any member thinks the Speaker has erred). b. Standing vote (demanded if any member thinks the Speaker has erred). c. One-fifth of a quorum may demand a teller vote.c. One-fifth of a quorum may demand a teller vote. d. A roll-call vote (each representative's position becomes a matter of d. A roll-call vote (each representative's position becomes a matter of

public record) may be demanded by one-fifth of the members. public record) may be demanded by one-fifth of the members.

G.G. Final steps in the House of RepresentativesFinal steps in the House of Representatives• 1. An approved bill is engrossed, read a third time, voted on again, and signed by 1. An approved bill is engrossed, read a third time, voted on again, and signed by

the Speaker.the Speaker.• 2. A signed bill is then sent to the Senate president.2. A signed bill is then sent to the Senate president.

H.H. Differences in Senate Bills Differences in Senate Bills • 1. more informal than House1. more informal than House• 2. does not have a committee equivalent to House Rules2. does not have a committee equivalent to House Rules• 3. Senate leaders, by consulting with each other and members, control the flow of 3. Senate leaders, by consulting with each other and members, control the flow of

bills to committees and floor debate/votingbills to committees and floor debate/voting• 4. Senate has two calendars: Calendar of General Orders and 4. Senate has two calendars: Calendar of General Orders and

Executive Calendar Executive Calendar a. General Orders lists all bills the Senate will considera. General Orders lists all bills the Senate will consider b. Executive schedules treaties and nominationsb. Executive schedules treaties and nominations

• 5. Can set aside formal rules and look at a bill from the 5. Can set aside formal rules and look at a bill from the calendar calendar

• 6. The Filibuster 6. The Filibuster a. unlimited debate on billsa. unlimited debate on bills

• 1.1. a way to defeat a bill: keep talking until majority of a way to defeat a bill: keep talking until majority of Senate either abandons bill or agrees to modify the most controversial Senate either abandons bill or agrees to modify the most controversial aspectsaspects

• 2.2. once a Senator has the floor, he/she can stand and talk once a Senator has the floor, he/she can stand and talk • 3.3. after 3 hours they can talk about anything and even after 3 hours they can talk about anything and even

read aloud from a telephone / recipe bookread aloud from a telephone / recipe book b. can be stopped by a 3/5's vote for cloture (allows each senator to speak for b. can be stopped by a 3/5's vote for cloture (allows each senator to speak for

only 1 hour on legislation being debated)only 1 hour on legislation being debated) c. not as powerful as it used to be because of procedural system c. not as powerful as it used to be because of procedural system

• 1.1. if filibuster starts the Senate sets aside a time of day if filibuster starts the Senate sets aside a time of day for dealing with other businessfor dealing with other business

• 2.2. filibuster starts again after this is taken care of filibuster starts again after this is taken care of d. threat of filibuster is still enough to delay/defeat billsd. threat of filibuster is still enough to delay/defeat bills

I.I. Final StepsFinal Steps1.1. Conference Committee if different versions passed Conference Committee if different versions passed

(approved by both houses)(approved by both houses)

2.2. Sent to PresidentSent to Presidenta.a. Signs Bill – Becomes Public LawSigns Bill – Becomes Public Law

b.b. Pocket Veto – Bill Expires (10 days)Pocket Veto – Bill Expires (10 days)• Can be dischargedCan be discharged

c.c. Veto – Bill FailsVeto – Bill Fails• Veto override – 2/3 vote of both houses – Becomes Public Law Veto override – 2/3 vote of both houses – Becomes Public Law