Legislative Process in Congress

Paradox: Functions of Congress Lawmaking Representation Are these two things compatible? Quick overview of process in E-Congress & this week’s blog.

Lawmaking: Trustee focus Goal=solutions to national problems Responsibilities: Legislative Oversight- Oversee what Exec. Br. & bureaucracy is doing Educate Public- Avenue through which public can be informed about pending legislation—Hearings held Resolves conflict—Treaty approval, clarify through legislation Provide security—Funds military & other security forces, creates new ones via laws.

Representation: Delegate Focus Goal=represent constituents of their districts and protect their interests Responsibilities: Services to constituents Exs? Protect districts generally protect interests within district Exs.? Pork-channel federal funds into their districts Exs.?

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 1: Creation Draft a bill- anyone can draft a bill, only members of Congress can introduce one Ideas may come from lawmaker, constituents, special interest groups, etc. Factors to consider: “ideal law”- Can it pass? What is content? How much money is asked for? Who is going to implement the bill? (Power)

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 2: Introduction All appropriation bills begin in the HOR. This includes the federal budget. HOR bill is put in the hopper. Senator is recognized. After 1st reading, it is titled & numbered. (HR or S) Referral- Speaker/Leaders decides which committee bill is sent to. Usually multiple committees (multiple referrals) look at new bill, esp. in HOR *BCD= bill can die!

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 3: Committee Action Standing Committee Considers Vehicle by which bills are sorted through—reduce # Senate committees consider confirmations of all appointments & approval by 2/3 of all treaties. Committee Actions Sent to subcommittee to study & recommend Pigeonhole bill Public Hearings held on bill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAOUTydryLo&feature=related Mark up session Full Committee vote to report out or not *BCD

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 4: Floor Senate uses unanimous consent to bring to floor House Rules Committee- important to leadership of Congress; under direct control of Speaker. Makes rules regarding how bill will be debated on floor and when (and if) it reaches floor 3 types of rules: Open- any amendments can be offered (Germane only in HOR) Closed- no amendments (typical of majority party & nearly all appropriation bills in HOR) Modified- Combination of two- ex. Certain types of amendments

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 5: Voting- complicated process Basic steps: Adopt rules (HOR) Debate by paragraph HOR time limits—usually 5 minutes Filibuster/Cloture in Senate Amending phase, usually Senate Vote (HOR: Roll Call/Teller; Senate: Voice, Standing or Roll Call/Teller) *BCD

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 6: Other House If bill makes it this far, it now goes to the other house for consideration. The process of steps 1-5 is repeated in the other house *BCD

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 7: Conference Conference Committee- composed of supporters from both chambers of both parties Must make compromise bill identical in language then send it back to House and Senate for re-approval. *BCD

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 8: Re-approval Vote on Conference Committee Bill must be successful in both chambers. If successful- Bill moves to President’s desk *BCD

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 9: Presidential Approval President gets bill Can sign- bill becomes a law http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYq9bZhIyrA&feature=fvst Can veto- bill with veto message goes back to house of Congress that originated http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/stemcellveto.htm Can set aside (Becomes law after 10 days w/o signature) Can pocket veto *BCD

How a Bill becomes a Law Step 10: Override If vetoed- 2/3 majority needed in both chambers to override If overridden, bill becomes law. Today, with divided government, a veto is a sure way to kill legislation…

History of Presidential Vetoes

Results of the Legislative Process

More Results

Legislative Productivity by President, Party & Congressional Term

Where Bills Hit a Snag…