The Legislative Branch!

The Legislative Branch!

Primary job of Congress is…Primary job of Congress is…

to pass legislation.to pass legislation.

The Number of Bills that Become Laws(from the 10nd Congress)

The Number of Bills that Become Laws(from the 10nd Congress)

10,238 Bills introduced10,238 Bills introduced10,178 Bills referred to committee

1,025 Bills discharged by committee

1,201 to be considered on the floor

1,184 passed one chamber667 passed both chambers590 became Public Laws

A Bill is introduced into the House A Bill is introduced into the House

A bill, proposed by a Representative is placed in

the “Hopper”.

A bill, proposed by a Representative is placed in

the “Hopper”.

Step 1A Bill Becomes A Law

A Bill is Read for the 1st time A Bill is Read for the 1st time

The clerk assigns the bill a number (Ex: “HR5309” or

“S4679”), and gives it a short title. It is then printed and given

to all Representatives.

The clerk assigns the bill a number (Ex: “HR5309” or

“S4679”), and gives it a short title. It is then printed and given

to all Representatives.

Step 2A Bill Becomes A Law

A There are 4 types of Bills:A There are 4 types of Bills:

Bill- A proposed law which applies to the entire nation. Bill- A proposed law which applies to the entire nation.

A Bill Becomes A Law

Joint Resolution- A proposal that has the force of law when passed. Joint Resolution- A proposal that has the force of law when passed.

Concurrent Resolution - A statement of a position of an issue. Does not have the force of law.

Concurrent Resolution - A statement of a position of an issue. Does not have the force of law.

Resolution- A measure which only applies in one house and does not have the force of law. Resolution- A measure which only applies in one house and does not have the force of law.

A Bill is assigned to a committee. A Bill is assigned to a committee.

The committee sifts through many of the bills and reports on those they find worthy of

consideration on the floor. The fate of most bills is decided

upon in committee.

The committee sifts through many of the bills and reports on those they find worthy of

consideration on the floor. The fate of most bills is decided

upon in committee.

Step 3A Bill Becomes A Law

If the committee does wish to consider the bill, it may be

assigned to a subcommittee.

If the committee does wish to consider the bill, it may be

assigned to a subcommittee.

The subcommittee may wish to investigate, hold hearings, gather information, or may

take a junket to find out more information.

The subcommittee may wish to investigate, hold hearings, gather information, or may

take a junket to find out more information.

Step 4A Bill Becomes A Law

After investigations, and if the subcommittee wishes the bill to

continue, it is then sent back to the original committee.

After investigations, and if the subcommittee wishes the bill to

continue, it is then sent back to the original committee.

Step 5A Bill Becomes A Law

A Bill Becomes A Law

Report the bill favorably- with a “do pass” recommendation.

Report the bill favorably- with a “do pass” recommendation.

Refuse to report- this is to “pigeonhole” or take no action on the bill. (this happens to most bills)

Refuse to report- this is to “pigeonhole” or take no action on the bill. (this happens to most bills)Report in amended form - Combining several relating bills into one new bill.

Report in amended form - Combining several relating bills into one new bill. Report with an unfavorable recommendation- this does not happen often

Report with an unfavorable recommendation- this does not happen often Report a committee bill- an entirely new bill

created by the committee. Report a committee bill- an entirely new bill

created by the committee.

Committee Actions:Committee Actions:

If the committee approves, it is sent back to the House and is

scheduled for debate.

If the committee approves, it is sent back to the House and is

scheduled for debate.

There are five different types of calendars in the House,

depending on the type of bill, determines which calendar it

goes to.

There are five different types of calendars in the House,

depending on the type of bill, determines which calendar it

goes to.

Step 6A Bill Becomes A Law

If it reaches the floor, the discussion or debate begins. Afterwards, a vote is held.

If it reaches the floor, the discussion or debate begins. Afterwards, a vote is held.

There are five different types of calendars in the House,

depending on the type of bill, determines which calendar it

goes to.

There are five different types of calendars in the House,

depending on the type of bill, determines which calendar it

goes to.

Step 7A Bill Becomes A Law

If it reaches the floor, the discussion or debate begins, on it’s scheduled day. Afterwards, a vote is held. If approved,

it is sent to the Senate.

If it reaches the floor, the discussion or debate begins, on it’s scheduled day. Afterwards, a vote is held. If approved,

it is sent to the Senate.

Once the bill has been approved, it is engrossed or

printed in it’s final form.

Once the bill has been approved, it is engrossed or

printed in it’s final form.

Step 8A Bill Becomes A Law

Our Bill is now introduced into the Senate and read for the first time. Our Bill is now introduced into the Senate and read for the first time.

Step 9A Bill Becomes A Law

A Bill is assigned to a committee and a subcommittee if further

investigation is needed.

A Bill is assigned to a committee and a subcommittee if further

investigation is needed.

Step 10A Bill Becomes A Law

If the committee approves, it is sent back to the Senate floor and is

scheduled for debate.

If the committee approves, it is sent back to the Senate floor and is

scheduled for debate.

Step 11A Bill Becomes A Law

If it reaches the floor, the discussion or debate begins, on it’s scheduled day.

Afterwards, a vote is held.

If it reaches the floor, the discussion or debate begins, on it’s scheduled day.

Afterwards, a vote is held.

Step 12A Bill Becomes A Law

If the bill is unchanged and approved,it is sent to the President. If the bill is changed but approved, it is

then sent to a conference committee.

If the bill is unchanged and approved,it is sent to the President. If the bill is changed but approved, it is

then sent to a conference committee.

Step 13A Bill Becomes A Law

A conference committee is made of members of the House and Senate. Here, they resolve the differences of the bill.

A conference committee is made of members of the House and Senate. Here, they resolve the differences of the bill.

The bill is sent from conference committee, and sent before the House

and Senate for final approval.

The bill is sent from conference committee, and sent before the House

and Senate for final approval.

Step 14A Bill Becomes A Law

Once the bill has been approved, it is the sent to the

President.

Once the bill has been approved, it is the sent to the

President.

The President receives the bill. He can then sign, veto, not act upon the bill,

or use a pocket veto.

The President receives the bill. He can then sign, veto, not act upon the bill,

or use a pocket veto.

Step 15A Bill Becomes A Law

If the bill is signed, it becomes a law.

If the bill is signed, it becomes a law.