1. Legislative Process in Congress

2. Paradox: Functions of Congress
Lawmaking
Representation
Are these two things compatible?
Quick overview of process in E-Congress & this week’s blog.

3. Lawmaking: Trustee focus
Goal=solutions to national problems
Responsibilities:
Legislative Oversight- Oversee what Exec. Br. & bureaucracy is doing
Educate Public- Avenue through which public can be informed about pending legislation—Hearings held
Resolves conflict—Treaty approval, clarify through legislation
Provide security—Funds military & other security forces, creates new ones via laws.

4. Representation: Delegate Focus
Goal=represent constituents of their districts and protect their interests
Responsibilities:
Services to constituents Exs?
Protect districts generally protect interests within district Exs.?
Pork-channel federal funds into their districts Exs.?

5. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 1: Creation
Draft a bill- anyone can draft a bill, only members of Congress can introduce one
Ideas may come from lawmaker, constituents, special interest groups, etc.
Factors to consider:
“ideal law”- Can it pass?
What is content? How much money is asked for? Who is going to implement the bill? (Power)

6. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 2: Introduction
All appropriation bills begin in the HOR. This includes the federal budget.
HOR bill is put in the hopper. Senator is recognized. After 1st reading, it is titled & numbered. (HR or S)
Referral- Speaker/Leaders decides which committee bill is sent to. Usually multiple committees (multiple referrals) look at new bill, esp. in HOR
*BCD= bill can die!

7. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 3: Committee Action
Standing Committee Considers
Vehicle by which bills are sorted through—reduce #
Senate committees consider confirmations of all appointments & approval by 2/3 of all treaties.
Committee Actions
Sent to subcommittee to study & recommend
Pigeonhole bill
Public Hearings held on bill
Mark up session
Full Committee vote to report out or not
*BCD

8. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 4: Floor
Senate uses unanimous consent to bring to floor
House Rules Committee- important to leadership of Congress; under direct control of Speaker. Makes rules regarding how bill will be debated on floor and when (and if) it reaches floor
3 types of rules:
Open- any amendments can be offered (Germane only in HOR)
Closed- no amendments (typical of majority party & nearly all appropriation bills in HOR)
Modified- Combination of two- ex. Certain types of amendments

9. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 5: Voting- complicated process
Basic steps:
Adopt rules (HOR)
Debate by paragraph
HOR time limits—usually 5 minutes
Filibuster/Cloture in Senate
Amending phase, usually Senate
Vote (HOR: Roll Call/Teller; Senate: Voice, Standing or Roll Call/Teller)
*BCD

10. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 6: Other House
If bill makes it this far, it now goes to the other house for consideration.
The process of steps 1-5 is repeated in the other house
*BCD

11. How a Bill becomes a Law
Step 7: Conference
Conference Committee- composed of supporters from both chambers of both parties
Must make compromise bill identical in language then send it back to House and Senate for re-approval. *BCD

12. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 8: Re-approval
Vote on Conference Committee Bill must be successful in both chambers.
If successful- Bill moves to President’s desk
*BCD

13. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 9: Presidential Approval
President gets bill
Can sign- bill becomes a law
Can veto- bill with veto message goes back to house of Congress that originated
Can set aside (Becomes law after 10 days w/o signature)
Can pocket veto
*BCD

14. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 10: Override
If vetoed- 2/3 majority needed in both chambers to override
If overridden, bill becomes law.
Today, with divided government, a veto is a sure way to kill legislation…

15. History of Presidential Vetoes

16. Results of the Legislative Process

17. More Results

18. Legislative Productivity by President, Party & Congressional Term

19. Where Bills Hit a Snag…