How a Bill Becomes Law CH 12.3/12.4

Types of Bills and Resolutions Bill- a proposed law Public- measures applying to the nation as a whole Private- measures that apply to certain persons or places rather than the entire nation

Types of Bills and Resolutions Joint Resolution- A proposal for some action that has the force of law when passed- usually deals with temporary issues Concurrent Resolution- A joint statement by the House & Senate of their position on an issue- does not have the force of law

Rider- an additional clause, usually unrelated to the main body, attached to a legislative bill in passing it. Types of Bills and Resolutions Resolution- A measure dealing with some matter in one house- does not have the force of law

I'm just a bill. Yes, I'm only a bill.

And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill... Sources citizens Interest groups congressmencommittees Exec. Branch

Well, it's a long, long journey To the capital city. Introduction  By a representative  Given an H.R.# It's a long, long wait While I'm sitting in committee…

Committee Action 1. Referred to the appropriate standing committee 2. Referred to a subcommittee- a division of an existing committee, made to address specific issues- study, hearings, revisions, etc.

Committee Action 3. Back to committee for revisions and debate- 5 options A. Report favorably B. Refuse to report = This happens to most bills C. Amend it D. Report unfavorably E. Report a new committee made bill Discharge petition- a procedure for members to force a bill out of committee

Committee Action 4. Placed on a calendar A. Union Calendar- all bills dealing with $ or government property B. House Calendar- all other public bills C. Private Calendar- all private bills D. Corrections Calendar- bills taken from the House & Union calendars by unanimous vote – usually have no opposition E. Discharge Calendar- discharge petitions

Committee Action 5. Sent to the Rules Committee who grants the bill a rule saying if, or how, it may be discussed- rules for debate But I know I'll be a law someday. At least I hope and pray that I will, but today I am still just a bill…

Floor Action Must have quorum- a majority of the full membership must be present. (218) Or act as a Committee of the Whole- a procedure to speed up business, where the whole body sits as a committee of itself when a quorum is not present If they vote yes, what happens? Then I go to the Senate and the whole thing starts all over again!

Well, it's a long, long journey Introduction in the Senate  By a Senator  Given an S.# It's a long, long wait While I'm sitting in committee…

Floor Action Rules for debate are very unrestricted Filibuster- A tactic of prolonged floor debate used to defeat a bill in the Senate by preventing a final vote; “talking a bill to death” Cloture- a motion to limit debate- difficult to do

Conference Committee A temporary joint committee, with members of both houses, made to iron out the differences between the House & Senate versions of the bill.

Congressional Approval I'm just a bill Yes, I'm only a bill And if they vote for me on Capitol Hill…

Well, then I'm off to the White House where I'll wait in a line with a lot of other bills for the president to… 1. Sign it into law 2. Veto- denying a bill passage into law– Congress may override this with a 2/3 maj. vote 3. Allow the bill to become law without signing in 10 days 4. Pocket veto- if Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting the bill and the Pres. Does not act, the bill dies

And if he signs me, then I'll be a law. How I hope and pray that he will, but today I am still just a bill. He Signed ya Bill, now you’re a law! Oh Yeah!