The Legislative Process How Congress Works The Legislative Process

A Bill v. A Law Bill - a proposed new law introduced within a legislature that has not yet been passed, enacted or adopted

A Bill v. A Law Law - a bill or act passed by a legislative body

Types 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

resolution - a measure expressing opinions on policies or issues Types of Resolutions resolution - a measure expressing opinions on policies or issues 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

Congressmen Wear Many Hats Legislator Representative Partisan Committee Member Politician

A Congressman’s Balancing Act Delegate Trustee Floor vote on the Energy Bill! How should I vote? My constituents first or my country???

Lobbying Advocate: To defend or maintain a cause or proposal; to petition for change using the art of persuading others Lobby: To promote (as for a project) or secure the passage of (as for legislation) by influencing public officials through education; to attempt to influence or sway (as for a public official) toward a desired action by substantive debate

Lobbying Groups Individual companies Trade Associations Labor unions and consumer groups Law firms and lobbying groups Public Relations Firms Grassroots Firms Interest Groups • AARP (formerly the American Association for Retired Persons) • American Association for People with Disabilities • American Cancer Society • American Civil Liberties Union • Children’s Defense Fund • American Humane Society • Americans for Tax Reform • Friends of the Earth • Friends of Tobacco • Gray Panthers • League of Conservation Voters • Mothers Against Drunk Driving • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. •Freedom of religion • Freedom of speech • Freedom of press • Right to petition “To petition the government for a redress of grievances” means that citizens can ask for changes in the government. They can do this by collecting signatures and sending them to their elected representatives; they can write, call, or e-mail their elected representatives; and they can support groups that lobby the government. • The right to petition is really a part of a larger American right—the right to advocate for one’s own beliefs or opinions. • Advocacy, and petitioning for change, involves the art of persuading others. • Advocacy skills provide effective ways for citizens to participate in making laws. • The ability to petition for change is one of our most valuable rights—and responsibilities as American citizens.

Who can contribute? • Any American citizen can contribute up to $2,300 per election to a candidate running for federal office and up to $28,500 to a national political party. • Foreigners with no permanent U.S. residency are prohibited from contributing to any political candidates at any level. • Cash contributions over $100 are prohibited, no matter what their origin. • No candidate can accept an anonymous contribution that is more than $50. • Corporations and labor unions are prohibited from contributing to federal campaigns or parties. • Minors are prohibited from making contributions to federal candidates and contributions or donations to committees of political parties.

What are PAC’s? A Political Action Committee (PAC) is a common term for a political committee set up for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates. PACs have been around since 1944 and they represent ideological, business or labor interests. PAC funds are generated from voluntary contributions from the individuals they represent. For example, General Motors Corporation, the American Federation of Teachers, and the American Farm Bureau all have PACs and all participate in the process to elect or perhaps defeat a political candidate. A PAC can give $5,000 to any candidate committee per election. PAC contributions by both the donor and the recipient can be reviewed through their mandatory reports on the Federal Election Commission’s Web site (www.fec.gov).

Questions: Are any students involved with a lobbying group? Why or why not? In what ways can students educate their elected officials about the specifics of a particular issue or students’ views on it? Is lobbying a negative or positive part of the legislative process? Explain. Does lobbying provide a valuable contribution to the legislative process? Explain. How can students become involved in lobbying the legislative process?

Videos Who are Lobbyists? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2DUM6jVasw&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active 60 Minutes: Jack Abramoff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHiicN0Kg10&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active School House Rock: I’m Just a Bill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dVo3nbLYC0&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Navigating the Legislative Obstacle Course

Step 1: An Idea for a Bill Sources: Member(s) of Congress Private Citizen Interest Group Federal Agency White House Governor(s) Mayor(s)

Step 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 floor ~ Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Step 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 Committee

Step 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 filibuster - 24 hrs 18 min. on the 1957 Civil Rights Act

Step 4: Floor Action - House Rules Committee schedules bills on calendar & decides whether amendments may be added Limited debate Floor vote: Recorded, Standing, Voice

Step 5: Approved Bill Crosses Over to Other House Approved bill must pass each chamber by a simple majority

Step 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 Healthy Forest Restoration Act

Step 7: Both Chambers Vote on Final Version of the Bill

Step 8: President Considers Bill President can: sign the bill into law veto bill pocket veto Note: Congress can override veto with 2/3 vote in each house; only 4% of vetos have been overriden

Critical Thinking: Fact: About 5,000 bills are introduced in Congress every year, but only about 150 are signed into law. Explain why so few bills become law. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Should the legislative process in Congress be reformed? If yes, what changes would you recommend? If not, why not?

Title: Imagine there’s no Congress Title: Imagine there’s no Congress Artist: Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette Date: 6/06/07 Source: http://www.politicalcartoons.com/

Title: Breaking the Filibuster is not Enough Source: http://www.republicanvoices.org/may_2005_newsletter.html

Artist: RJ Matson Date: 6/14/07 Source: http://themoderatevoice.com/category/politics/political-cartoons/

Source: http://bigpicture.typepad.com/ Date: 5/6/06