1. How Legislation is Made

4. Introduction of the Bill  Only a member of Congress can introduce a bill  Many, however, are drafted by or come at the impetus of a variety of sources: –Citizens, NGOs, corporations, special interest groups, etc.  A bill can start in either chamber (Senate or House)

5. In the following scenario, we will assume the bill originates in the House

6. Committee Action  Each chamber has standing committees that consider relevant bills  Each committee has a Chair from the Majority and a Ranking Member from the Minority  The bill is marked-up by the committee before going to the floor  The bill must also pass through the House Rules Committee

7. Bill Reported to the Floor  Once the bill passes through mark- up, the committee has “reported the bill favorably to the floor.”  The Speaker of the House determines which bills are discussed and for how long  Committee Chairs and Ranking Members give out time to debate to other members

8. The Bill Goes to the Senate  Once the bill has passed the House (by a simple majority vote) it is sent to the Senate.  The bill is written and introduced with an S. bill number. House bills begin with HR  The bill is referred to the appropriate committee which hold hearings and make changes to the bill  The committee reports the bill to the Senate floor

9. Bill Debate and Votes  Majority Leader determines which bills are scheduled, when, and for how long  Debate in the Senate is unlimited leading to...... FILIBUSTER!

10. Filibuster  For many years, a filibuster was a Senator or group of Senators speaking for as long as they wished, on any topic, to delay legislative activity.  Now, due to a rule change, Senators generally need only to threaten to filibuster. Because it is now so easy to do, is frequently used (read: almost always) by the minority to block bills,  3/5 of the Senate (60 members) must vote to end the debate and overcome a filibuster. This is called “Cloture”

11. Both Chambers have Passed the Bill  A simple majority is needed in both (51%)  House – 218 votes  Senate – 51 votes

12. Conference  Each chamber has passed its own (often differing) versions of the same bill and those differences must be reconciled  The bill is considered by a conference committee made up of both House and Senate members who make changes  They negotiate, compromise, and send a revised bill back to both chambers  A vote on the “conference report” must be taken and passed in both the House and Senate

13. Send to Mr. President  The bill is sent to the President to sign into law  He may include “signing statements” which includes how the bill should be enforced or if parts should not be enforced  The President can veto the bill  The President can choose not to act: –If Congress is in session, the bill becomes law after 10 days –If Congress is not in session, the bill dies after 10 days (this is called a “pocket veto”

14. The Bill Becomes the Law of the Land  If the President vetoes, both chambers can reconsider the bill  2/3 of each chamber is required to override a veto: –House – 369 votes –Senate – 67 votes  If President signs the bill, it becomes federal law