How Thoughts Become Laws

FOREWORD Anyone may get an idea that “there ought to be a law”. If others agree, including a member of Congress, a bill to implement the thought may be introduced. If the bill has merit, and wins enough Congressional and public support, it will become a law.

PART I “How a Thought Becomes a Bill” was created by the National Legislative Commission of The American Legion to illustrate the democratic processes within the Legion through which legislative mandates (or policy decisions) are developed from basic ideas. Many organizations follow similar steps. While The American Legion takes great credit for the “GI Bill” (sharing with Congress and the people), this illustration is dedicated to procedure rather than history. -

PART II “How a Bill Becomes a Law” shows the normal path of a bill in Congress, from introduction to enactment. While entirely disassociated from American Legion legislation, as such, the NEA presentation is applicable to any bill. We are grateful to the NEA, and its staff, for permission to use this very excellent study.

Part 1: How A Thought 1919 Johnny is out with an honorable discharge, $60, and a railroad ticket. Home again! What now? How about a job? School? That church date with Mary? A generation later. A resolution embodying these ideas is presented and adopted with recommendation for approval by the next Department convention.

Most bills can be introduced in either House (“GI Bill” was introduced in Senate). Referred to committee which then holds public hearings on the bill. Full committee meets in executive session to consider the facts. It may kill, approve (with or without amendments), or draft a new bill. Committee recommends bill for passage and it is then listed on the calendar. The bill comes up for debate (few hours to a few weeks) Amendments may or may not be added. The bill is voted on.

If passed, it goes to the House of Representatives for action. It is referred to the proper committee. Hearings are held. The committee rejects, prepares a new, or accepts bill with or without amendments. Committee recommends bill for passage and it is then listed on the calendar and sent to the Rules Committee. The bill comes up for debate (few hours to a few weeks) Amendments may or may not be added (depending on Rules Committee determination). The bill is voted on

If bill passes second body, but contains differences, either house may request a conference committee. The conferees (5each) meet and attempt to reconcile differences An agreement is reached and reported back to their respective houses. The report is either accepted or rejected. If accepted, bill is signed by Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, and sent to the President of the United States. President may sign or veto the bill within 10 days. Ifs/he doesn’t and Congress is still in session it automatically becomes law. Pocket veto – begin again at square one. Two-thirds majority of each house can over turn a signed vetoed bill.

Some Helpful Explanations and Definitions

Congress: The Congress consists of two (Houses) bodies The Senate and House of Representatives. The Senate has 100 members (2 from each state) who are elected, except Governors may appoint a person to an unexpired term due to death or resignation until the following general election. The 435 Representatives are elected for two year terms. They

Titles and Address: Address Senators as Hon. John Doe, United States Senate, Senate Office Building. Representatives as Hon. John Doe, House of Representatives, House Office Building. Both Washington, D. C.

A Bill: Bills are introduced only by Senators or Representatives: S. (followed by a number) means Senate bill; HR (followed by a number) means House of Representatives bill. They are numbered consecutively in order of introduction. Each House has its own number series. Bills are the usual legislative measure, although forms of resolutions are used. Approval of both Houses and President required for a bill to become a law.

Senate (or House) Joint Resolution: SJRes or HJRes require same approval as bills and are numbered consecutively. President does not sign same when Constitutional amendment proposal is voted because both Houses must approve by a two-thirds majority.

Appropriation and Tax Bills: All appropriations and tax measures originate in the House of Representatives but must be approved by the Senate and signed by the President..All governmental agencies make initial requests for operating funds. These are then screened by the Bureau of the Budget and transmitted to the House of Representatives. The Bureau of the Budget may approve the initial request, cut or increase it. The Congress has the final say in such matters before measures are presented to the President.

Congressional Committees: The Senate has 16 standing Committees; the House or Representatives has 20. All legislative measures are referred to appropriate committee for study and recommendations. These committees hold hearings at which proponents and opponents state their views on the particular bill or resolution. Report of Committee is made to respective House and bears great weight in outcome of bill.

Rules Committee One of the most powerful committees in the House of Representatives Primary function - determine the order of consideration - establishes rules under which bill is considered