Steps To Bill Becoming A Law 1.Introduction a. House of Representative b. Senate

2. Parts of a Bill a.Assign a number (HR 344 or S 231) b.Labeled with a sponsor's name c.Titles: short official title d.Status: progress or current activity e.Committee: group which also reviews the bill.

3. Committee Action a.Bill can be assigned to subcommittee by chairperson. b.Hearings may be held. c.Subcommittee reports findings to full committee. d.Vote by full committee e.Revisions and Additions f.Send to Floor g.Written report explaining why they favor the bill

4. Rules Committee (House of Representatives only) a.Adopts rules that govern the procedures under which the bill will be considered by the House. Rules of Debate and Process are different between the HR and Senate

5. Floor Action a.Setting the Calendar. House: the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader decide what will reach the floor and when. Debate: Limited by the Rules Committee Guided by Sponsoring Committee Bill is Reported back to HR and voted on

Floor Action  Senate: scheduling is up to the Majority Leader. Cooperation with the Minority Leader.  Bills are chosen by a majority of the Senate can also go to the floor. Debate: a. Debate is unlimited. b. Cloture: Motion to limit debate 60 votes needed for cloture. Ends filibuster. c. Filibuster: attempt to defeat a bill by talking indefinitely.

Continued steps of floor action a.Bill voted on. b.Must pass either chamber (HR and S) or it dies. c.If HR and S pass same bill, it goes to the President. d.If HR and S pass different bills, it is sent to conference committee.

Conference Committee a.Formed by members from both chambers b.Prepares written Conference Report when compromise is reached and submitted to each chamber. c.Conference Report must be approved by House and Senate.

Presidential Action a.Signs: or becomes law in 10 days while Congress is in session if unsigned. b.Veto: or becomes law if 2/3 of each chamber overrides. 1.Sign 2.Veto 3.Pocket Veto 4.Allow it to become Law w/o signature.

Terms  Pigeon Hole  Pork Barrel  Rider  Earmarks  Bundling  Vote Trading  Speaker of The House  Floor Leaders  Whips