Steps to a Bill Steps to a Bill Becoming a Law Becoming a Law

Steps to a Bill Becoming a Law 1). Introduction a)House Of Representatives (Revenue Only) (Revenue Only) a)Senate 2). Parts of a Bill a)Assigned a number (HR of S) b)Labeled with a sponsor’s name: chairman of comm. of comm. c) Sent to Committee: group which also reviews the bill

Committees Standing a) House:Appropriations, Rules, Ways and Means b) Senate: Appropriations, Finance, Judiciary, Foreign Relations Select Joint Conference

Steps to a Bill Becoming a Law 3). Committee Action A) Bill can be assigned to subcommittee by chairperson (or pigeonholed-bill ignored by chairperson (or pigeonholed-bill ignored by committee and is left to die) committee and is left to die) [Discharge Petititon][Discharge Petititon] B) Hearings may be held C) Subcommittees report findings to full committee D) Vote by full committee E) Revisions and additions (markup session, [pork]) F) Riders and Amendments G) Send To Floor

Steps to a Bill Becoming a Law 4). Rules Committee (House only) A)Adopts rules that will govern the procedures under which the bill will be considered under which the bill will be considered by the House by the House i) Open Rule/Closed Rule ii) Debate Time ii) Debate Time 5). Floor Action House: Speaker of the House and Majority Leader decide what will reach Majority Leader decide what will reach the floor and when the floor and when

Steps to a Bill Becoming a Law 5). Floor Action (cont.) House Debate: A) Limited by Rules Committee A) Limited by Rules Committee B) Guided by sponsoring committee B) Guided by sponsoring committee C) Bill is reported back to the House and voted on C) Bill is reported back to the House and voted on Senate: Scheduling of Legislation is up to the Majority Scheduling of Legislation is up to the Majority Leader. Bills that are chosen by a majority of the Leader. Bills that are chosen by a majority of the Senate can also go to the floor Senate can also go to the floor

Steps to a Bill Becoming a Law 5). Floor Action (cont.) Senate Debate: A) Debate unlimited A) Debate unlimited B)Filibuster: Attempt to B)Filibuster: Attempt to defeat a bill by defeat a bill by talking indefinitely talking indefinitely C)Hold: Request for info C)Hold: Request for info D)Cloture: Motion to limit debate. 60 votes for D)Cloture: Motion to limit debate. 60 votes for this. Ends filibuster. this. Ends filibuster.

Steps to a Bill Becoming a Law 5). Floor Action (cont.) steps Continued steps of floor action: A) Bill voted on B) Must pass both chambers (House and Senate) or it dies or it dies C) If House & Senate pass same bill, it is then sent to the President sent to the President D) If House & Senate pass different bills, it is sent to the Conference Committee sent to the Conference Committee

Steps to a Bill Becoming a Law 6). Conference Committee A)Formed by members from both chambers (2/3) B)Prepares written conference report when compromise is reached and submitted to compromise is reached and submitted to each chamber each chamber C) Conference report must be approved by House & Senate House & Senate 7). Presidential Action A)Signs: or becomes law in 10 days if congress is in session B)Veto: or becomes law if 2/3 chamber override or is overridden by both chambers is overridden by both chambers C) Pocket Veto: President does not sign bill and Congress’ Term expires within 10 days of the bills’ passage Term expires within 10 days of the bills’ passage

I’m Just A Bill