1. Congressional Lawmaking
Chapter 12:
Congressional Lawmaking

2. Vocabulary to choose not to cast a vote on a bill *Abstain
TERM
DEFINITION
*Abstain
to choose not to cast a vote on a bill
*Cloture
the process used to end a filibuster in the Senate; at least 60 senators must support a cloture vote to overcome a filibuster
Conferees
the members of a congressional conference committee
Congressional
Page
a high school junior who works as a messenger and errand-runner in the House or Senate 
*Filibuster
the tactic of using endless speeches on the Senate floor to delay or prevent passage of legislation
*Legislative
Hearing
a meeting of lawmakers to hear testimony and gather information on a proposed piece of legislation 

3. Vocabulary TERM DEFINITION Logrolling Power of Recognition *Rider
the trading of votes among legislators to ensure the passage of various bills in which they have a special interest
Power of
Recognition
the power of the House speaker or Senate majority leader to grant permission to speak on the House or Senate floor
*Rider
an amendment attached to a bill that has little or no relation to the subject of the bill
Seniority
Rule
the tradition that a congressional committee member’s seniority—the number of years of unbroken service on a committee—determines that member’s position on the committee
Super-majority
a number of votes greater than a simple majority, sometimes required to pass a particular motion or proposal
Up-or
-Down Vote
a direct vote on a bill in the full House or Senate; the bill must be approved or rejected as is, with no further amendments or delays

4. Reading Questions 1-3 3-5 Elect Leaders and Party Committees
What happens at a party caucus or party conference or new congressman?
About how many committees to House members sit-in on? Senate members?
HOUSE: SENATE:
What are some of the things that happen on the first day of a new congress?
How are committee chairman chosen?
Where are 3 common places that bills arrive to congress from?:
Elect Leaders and Party Committees
1-3
3-5
1. Quorum Vote for Speaker Oath of Office
1. Seniority Party Loyalty Political Skill Trustworthiness
1. Citizens Interest Groups Executive Agencies

5. Path of a Bill Committee
STEP
EXPLANATION
Hearings
A legislative hearing is held where citizens, lobbyists, celebs, etc. testify in favor of a bill
Markup
Committee member “markup,” change, and amend the proposed bill
Report
Committee members issue a report on whether or not they support the bill then it goes to the floor to be voted on
Voting on a Bill
VOTE
EXPLANATION
VOICE
“Aye”= YES Louder voices
“No”= NO have the vote
STANDING
Supporters or opponents stand to vote
ROLL-CALL
Votes are counted by calling out the names of representatives followed by vote. House is electronic and Senate is called out.

6. Riders “Sweetener” “Poison Pill” “Christmas Tree”
EXPLANATION
“Sweetener”
Win more votes for the bill
“Poison
Pill”
Make sure a bill fails
“Christmas
Tree”
bill with so many riders attached to it that it seems to offer something for everyone

7. Pressures and Influences
On Legislators
GROUPS
EXPLANATION
Interest Groups
Pressure and lobby legislators reminding them of contributions
Party
Leaders
Pass out preferential positions on committees are support in leadership roles
Colleagues
Trade votes across the aisle in order to gain future support

8. Presidential Action On a Bill
Sign It
Veto It
(Pocket Veto)
3. Take No Action