Chapter 12: How a Bill becomes a Law Pick up your folder, textbook and a worksheet. Complete Ch. 12, Vocabulary m%20Just%20a%20Bill Pick up your folder, textbook and a worksheet. Complete Ch. 12, Vocabulary m%20Just%20a%20Bill

How a Bill Becomes a Law Six Easy Steps

1. Introduction Bill is a proposed law Presented to the House or Senate for consideration Most bills are proposed by members of the executive branch Referred to a committee

2. Committee Action Specific standing committee is selected Sub committee assignment is usually made to study the proposal If subcommittee approves, bill is referred back to the standing committee for additional study –A rider can be added to the bill: provision added to bill that would not pass on its own merits –Usually deals with an unrelated matter

3. Floor Action Once recommended by the standing committee, the bill receives it’s second reading-each house then discusses the bill Debate: House: No one can speak for more than one hour w/o unanimous consent Senate: Filibuster-can talk a bill to death Changes made to bill If vote demanded, debate ends and voting begins.

4. Conference Committee Responsible for resolving the differences in the bill –Changes made in the House –Changes made in the Senate For the bill to become a law, both Houses must approve a proposal worded exactly the same

5. Congressional Approval Once the Conference Committee writes a compromised bill, each house of Congress must vote on the new wording. If approved, sent to the President

6. Presidential Action President has 4 choices: 1. Sign the bill 2. Veto: send back to Congress with Pres.’ objections 3. Not sign, not act for 10 days - automatically becomes law 4. Pocket veto: measure dies if Congress adjourns within 10 days and it has not been signed

/ Pick up your folder and get out the worksheet called “How a Bill becomes a Law” / If your card says House of Represent - sit on the left side of the room / If your card says Senate - sit on the right side of the room. / Pick up your folder and get out the worksheet called “How a Bill becomes a Law” / If your card says House of Represent - sit on the left side of the room / If your card says Senate - sit on the right side of the room.

1. Introduction 2. Committee Action 3.Floor Action 4.Conference Committee 5.Congressional Approval 6.Presidential Action

/ Pick up folder, class work list and study guide / Put together class work and use it to complete the study guide / Test on Congress is tomorrow! / Pick up folder, class work list and study guide / Put together class work and use it to complete the study guide / Test on Congress is tomorrow!

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