Unit 5: The Legislative Branch 2. The Legislative Process

House Specifics Both houses have the same job: to make laws. Both houses have rules that are published every two years. Both houses contain various committees. Both houses are organized by political party.

House Specifics House of Representatives Senate Rules serve to limit the actions of members. Has and needs more committees because of its size. Picks an official for the House, as well as officials for each party. Arguably more powerful. Few limits on members. Fewer committees. Leadership decides movement of bills. Officials include the VP and a sub (Pres. Pro tem), as well as party officials. More relaxed.

How a Bill Becomes a Law Introduction of Bill Committee Action Floor Action Conference Action (optional) Sent to President.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

How a Bill Becomes a Law House of Representatives Senate Bill introduced and given a number. (HR #) Sent to committee for review. Sent back to house floor for debate. Vote. Sent to Senate for review. Bill introduced and given a number. (S #) Sent to committee for review. Sent back to house floor for debate. Vote. Sent to HR for review.

How a Bill Becomes a Law Introduction of Bill Committee Action Bill is submitted and given a number. Bills can be started in either house, with the exception of bills about taxes which must start in the House of Representatives. Committee Action Bill is sent to standing and subcommittees for review and discussion. Standing committees will issue reports on the bill. HR Rules Committee will also review bill and put it on calendar.

Committees Allow work to be divided, bad ideas to be sorted out, and help the public learn about issues through published reports. Standing Committee: always around from one Congress to the next Select Committee: temporary committees that study specific topics (issues of great public concern, overlooked problems, and/or concerns of interest groups) and report out Joint Committee: temporary or permanent committee made up of members from both houses to study and report on issues to Congress, and to coordinate work on issues Conference Committee: temporary committee set up to resolve differences when the House and the Senate have passed different versions of the same bill

How a Bill Becomes a Law Floor Action Once a bill comes out of committee, it is sent back to the house floor for debate and further review. If a bill passes here, it is sent to the other house to begin the process over again.

How a Bill Becomes a Law Conference Action (optional) If a bill changes from one house to another, this creates two different bills. Both houses will then work together to compromise on the changes to create one bill again. This step is not always necessary, but will require a second vote on the newly created bill in both houses. Changes can be made through bargaining, however new bill must be considered as a whole and cannot be changed.

How a Bill Becomes a Law Sent to President. Once Congress approves a bill, it is sent to the president to be signed into law. The president can sign the bill into law, veto it, or pocket veto it. Veto: President does not sign, and bill is sent back to Congress. Pocket Veto: President lets bill expire while Congress is not in session. Congress can override a president veto by 2/3 vote from both houses. The bill dies if vote fails.

How a Bill Becomes a Law Bills have multiple opportunities to die. Only 10-20% of bills make it back to the floor of the House of Representatives. Introduction of Bill Committee Action Floor Action Conference Action (optional) Sent to President.