1. “Multiple Paths: Legislative Process in the House”
Barbara Sinclair

2. Legislative Process
Legislative Process: From Textbook to Modern Congress
The assumption of the “Textbook” Congress was that the legislative process was consistent and predictable.
Reality: Legislative Process is “Varied and Complex”

3. Legislative Process Scheduling Legislation:
The scheduling of legislation is controlled by the House Majority, but it is considered simply in the order in which it appears on the schedule.
Legislative Rules
The legislation is generally considered according to a variety of rules.

4. Legislative Rules Legislative Rules:
Most of the legislative process is governed by agreed upon rules.
What Rules Do:
1) Restrict Amendments
2) Waive Points of Order

5. Legislative Rules: Legislative Rules: Restricting Amendments: Options
1) Open Rule: Allows Germane (Relevant) Amendments
2) Closed Rule: Only Reporting Comm. Can Suggest Amends.
Modified Options:
1) Modified Open Rule: Allows Some Germane Amendments
2) Modified Closed Rule: Certain Comms. Can Suggest Amendments.

6. Legislative Rules Examples of Legislative Rules 1) Suspension of Rules
2) Special Rules

7. Legislative Rules Examples of Legislative Rules Suspension of Rules
It is typically used only with non-controversial
legislation.
Features:
1) Controlled by Speaker
2) Debate Limited to 40 Minutes
3) No Amendments Allowed

8. Legislative Rules Examples of Legislative Rules Special Rules
Special Rules also allow legislation to be considered out
of order. They are introduced by the Rules Committee,
as House Resolutions.

9. Legislative Process Rules Committee
Before legislation can be considered, the rules to be applied to floor debate must be determined. The rules of legislative debate often shaped by the complexity of the legislation: how committees are reporting, for example.
How Rules Shape the Debate: Examples
1) King of the Hill
2) Queen of the Hill

10. Legislative Process How Rules Shape the Debate: 1) King of the Hill:
Amendments are voted on in a series, with the last one achieving an majority passing. Hence, the key version, supported by Speaker is always placed last.
Example: 1991 Civil Rights Bill
2) Queen of the Hill:
Amendments are voted on in a series, with the first receiving a majority passing. Again, the key version, supported by Speaker is generally placed last.

11. Legislative Process Ruling Making Process: 1) Debate on the Rule
Limited to a Hour: Rules Half/Min Half
2) Move the Previous Question:
a. Passes: Ends Debate, Allows Vote on Rule.
b. Fails: Opponents Control Floor
Ex: Reagan Econ. Policy
3) Vote on Rule
a. Roll Call (Votes Recorded)
b. Voice Vote
4) Committee of the Whole

12. Legislative Process Committee of the Whole
Is the whole House, but the rules are streamlined.
Aspects:
1) Only need 100 for quorum (opposed to 218)
2) Amendment Limited to Five Minutes
3) Speakers Delegates to Presiding Officer