 Laws begin as ideas. From a Representative/Senator From a Representative/Senator From a citizen like you From a citizen like you  Citizens who have ideas for laws can contact their Representatives to discuss their ideas.  The Representative and/or staff research the ideas and write them into bills.  When a bill has been written, it needs a sponsor. Support for the bill Support for the bill Once a bill has a sponsor and the support of some of the Representatives/Senators, it is ready to be introduced. Once a bill has a sponsor and the support of some of the Representatives/Senators, it is ready to be introduced. Example picture Example picture Example picture Example picture From:

A bill is introduced when it is placed in the hopper A bill is introduced when it is placed in the hopper hopper What is wrong? What is wrong? Only Representatives can introduce bills in the U.S. House of Representatives. Only Representatives can introduce bills in the U.S. House of Representatives. A bill clerk assigns it a number that begins with H.R. A bill clerk assigns it a number that begins with H.R. A reading clerk then reads the bill to all the Representatives A reading clerk then reads the bill to all the Representatives The Speaker of the House sends the bill to one of the House’s standing committees. The Speaker of the House sends the bill to one of the House’s standing committees.standing committeesstanding committees From:

 Committee Reviews, pigeonholes, discusses, researches, and revises the bill Reviews, pigeonholes, discusses, researches, and revises the billpigeonholes revisespigeonholes revises Vote on whether or not to send the bill back to the House floor Vote on whether or not to send the bill back to the House floor If the committee members would like more information before deciding if the bill should be sent to the House floor, the bill is sent to a subcommittee. If the committee members would like more information before deciding if the bill should be sent to the House floor, the bill is sent to a subcommittee.  While in subcommittee, the bill is closely examined and expert opinions are gathered before it is sent back to the committee for approval. From:

 When the standing committee has approved a bill, it is sent—or reported—to the House floor and placed on the calendar for debate.  When a bill is debated, Representatives discuss the bill and explain why they agree or disagree with it. Representatives discuss the bill and explain why they agree or disagree with it. Then, a reading clerk reads the bill section by section and the Representatives recommend changes. Then, a reading clerk reads the bill section by section and the Representatives recommend changes. When all changes have been made, the bill is ready to be voted on. When all changes have been made, the bill is ready to be voted on.

 There are three methods for voting on a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives: 1. Viva Voce (voice vote): The Speaker of the House asks the Representatives who support the bill to say “aye,” those that oppose it say “no”. 2. Division: The Speaker of the House asks those Representatives who support the bill to stand up and be counted, and then those who oppose the bill to stand up and be counted. 3. Recorded: Representatives record their vote using the electronic voting system. Representatives can vote yes, no, or present (if they don’t want to vote on the bill). Recorded  If a majority of the Representatives say or select yes, the bill passes in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill is then certified by the Clerk of the House and delivered to the U.S. Senate From:

 Bill is introduced by a Senator Morning hour Morning hour Senator by way of the Presiding Officer Senator by way of the Presiding Officer Senator by way of the Presiding Officer Senator by way of the Presiding Officer  If no objection heard, bill is referred to the appropriate standing committee. standing committeestanding committee  Bill is given a number by their bill clerk Starts with S Starts with S

 Same as the House of Representatives Standing committee  Subcommittee On to the Senate floor.

 Similar to the House Bill is read section by section by the bill clerk for debate and possible changes Bill is read section by section by the bill clerk for debate and possible changes Filibuster may occur during the debate Filibuster may occur during the debate Filibuster  Filibuster in action Filibuster in action Filibuster in action Invoke Cloture--2/3 of the present Senate files a petition to limit arguments, this will limit arguments to 1 hour each and no more than 30 hours total for the bill Invoke Cloture--2/3 of the present Senate files a petition to limit arguments, this will limit arguments to 1 hour each and no more than 30 hours total for the bill Voting Voting  Roll call –alphabetical order Majority –yea Majority –yea  Bill is sent to a conference committee

 Conference Committee Also called a joint committee Both Senators and Representatives  Meet to agree upon a “like” bill May choose one or the other Rewrite with compromises Decide not to go any further  If the bill makes it through the Conference Committee it is sent back to one or both Houses for a vote

 Signs the bill into Law Signs the bill into Law Signs the bill into Law  Vetoes the bill Bill can go back to both houses for another vote Bill can go back to both houses for another vote 2/3 majority in both houses will override the Presidential veto and the bill becomes a law 2/3 majority in both houses will override the Presidential veto and the bill becomes a law  Pocket Veto 10 days 10 days Congress in session—becomes a law Congress in session—becomes a law Congress not in session—not a law Congress not in session—not a law

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