1. Lawmaking in Congress
Congress

2. How are bills passed into laws?
Congress
Lawmaking
How are bills passed into laws?

3. Passing the House
Congress

4. Congress Law Making 1. Introduction
Any member of House can introduce a piece of legislation
This takes place on the House Floor
This makes up the “Committee of the Whole” ( all House members )
There are 435 congressmen involved here – too many for lawmaking

5. Congress Law Making 2. Standing Committee
The Speaker of the House refers the bill to the appropriate committee
He can also refuse to do this – and stop the bill from progressing
He can set time limits on the committee to complete their work
Average size of a House standing committee is around 40
The average Representative is on 2-3 committees and 6 subcommittees

6. Congress Law Making 3. Subcommittee
The committee chairman refers the bill to the appropriate subcommittee
This is where the actual “law writing” happens.
Subcommittees range in size but average around 15
Subcommittee members are likely a part of an iron triangle relationship – This is where interest groups are likely to get involved in lawmaking

7. Congress Law Making 4. Committee Approval
The bill is returned to the standing committee to be voted on
A bill must be voted “out of committee” to proceed
Committee will also hold a “mark up session” where the members can make revisions and additions
The bill with its additions is what will move to the House to be voted on
The committee chair can prevent the bill from moving forward here by denying a vote in committee

8. Congress Law Making 5. House Rules Committee
The House Rules Committee controls the agenda in the House
They schedule when the bill will be voted on
They set aside a limited amount of time for debate
They decide if the bill will have an “open rule” or “closed rule”
Open rule means any member can add amendments to the bill when it’s on the House floor
Closed rule forbids the introduction of amendments to the bill

9. Congress Law Making 6. Floor Debate & Voting
The bill is placed on a House Calendar & is scheduled for floor action
The bill is debated – time is equally divided between those in favor and those opposed to the bill
Amendments may be added to the bill here if HRC allowed them.
A quorum is necessary to vote on the bill, but all 435 members don’t have to be there for voting to take place.
If it passes, the House waits on the Senate to pass a similar bill

10. Passing the Senate
Congress

11. Congress Law Making 1. Introduction
Any member of Senate can introduce a piece of legislation
They must be recognized by the Senate Majority Leader & if ANY other senator objects, they have to wait and try again tomorrow.
There are 100 senators involved here – too many for lawmaking

12. Congress Law Making 2. Standing Committee
The Senate Majority Leader refers the bill to the appropriate committee
He can also refuse to do this – and stop the bill from progressing
Average size of a Senate standing committee is around 19
The average Senator is on 4 committees and 12 subcommittees

13. Congress Law Making 3. Subcommittee
The committee chairman refers the bill to the appropriate subcommittee
This is where the actual “law writing” happens.
Subcommittees range in size but average around 10 and only a couple show up
Subcommittee members are likely a part of an iron triangle relationship – This is where interest groups are likely to get involved in lawmaking

14. Congress Law Making 4. Committee Approval
The bill is returned to the standing committee to be voted on
A bill must be voted “out of committee” to proceed
Committee will also hold a “mark up session” where the members can make revisions and additions
The bill with its additions is what will move to the House to be voted on
The committee chair can prevent the bill from moving forward here by denying a vote in committee

15. Congress Law Making 5. Senate Majority Leader
The Senate Majority Leaders schedules bills for debate & vote
Whenever he knows he has a majority of votes, he can bring the bill to the floor for voting
He can prevent a bill from ever coming to the floor for a vote.

16. Any senator can add ANY amendment to the bill in debate.
Congress
Law Making
6. Floor Debate & Voting
The bill is debated – time is unlimited for debate. Each speaker gets as much time to advocate for or against the bill as they want
This is where bills are likely to be filibustered by an opposing senator
A filibuster can only be ended with 60 votes, so the threat of a filibuster is enough to kill it.
Any senator can add ANY amendment to the bill in debate.

17. Joint Action
Congress

18. Congress Law Making 7. Conference Committee
This committee has to make compromises between the House and Senate versions of the bill
They are made up of members of the House picked by the Speaker & members of the Senate picked by the Senate Majority Leader
The compromise bill they make must go back to the House and Senate to be voted on again.

19. They are no longer allowed to make any amendments to the bill
Congress
Law Making
8. House & Senate Floor
The House and Senate both have to vote again on changes made by the conference committee
They are no longer allowed to make any amendments to the bill
Some members may change their votes because of changes the conference committee made

20. Presidential Action
Congress

21. Congress Law Making 9. President Signs the Law Vetoes the Law
The President can also ignore the law passed by Congress – if he doesn’t sign the law, it’s a “pocket veto”

22. Bigly Ideas
Beliefs & Behaviors

23. Opportunities to Amend
Congress
Wrap Up
Obstacles to passage
Opportunities to Amend
Agenda Control
Conference Committee
Focus on these things: