1. American Government McGraw- Hill © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998 435 members Two-year term Smaller constituencies Less staff Equal populations represented Less flexible rules Limited debate More policy specialists Less prestige Less reliance on staff Important Rules Committee More powerful committee leaders Very important committees Nongermane amendments (riders) not allowed House 100 members Six-year term Larger constituencies More staff States represented More flexible rules Unlimited debate Policy generalists More prestige More reliance on staff Less important Rules Committee More equal distribution of power Less important committees Nongermane amendments (riders) allowed Special treaty ratification power Special confirmation power Senate Key differences between house and senate From McKenna: The Drama of Democracy, 3rd Ed.

2. American Government McGraw- Hill © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998 HR. 1 Introduced in House S. 2 Introduced in Senate Referred to House Committee Referred to Subcommittee Reported by Full Committee Rules Committee Action House Debate Vote on Passage FLOOR ACTION Referred to Senate Committee Referred to Subcommittee Reported by Full Committee Senate Debate Vote on Passage FLOOR ACTION INTRODUCTION Bill goes to full committee, then usually to specialized subcommittees for study, hearings, revisions, approval. Then bill goes back to full committee, where more hearings and revisions may occur. Full committee may approve bill and recommend its chamber pass the proposal. Committees rarely give bill unfavorable report, rather, no action is taken, therefore, ending further consideration of the measure. In House, many bills go before Rules Committee for “rule” expediting floor action, setting conditions for debate and amendments on floor. Some bills are “privileged” and go directly to floor. Other procedures exist for noncontroversial or routine bills. In Senate, special “rules” are not used; leadership normally schedules action. Bill is debated, usually amended, passed, or defeated. If passed, it goes to other chamber to follow the same route through committee and floor stages. (If other chamber has already passed related bill, both versions go straight to conference.) CONFERENCE ACTION Source: 1987 Congressional Quarterly Almanac, p. 42. Reprinted with permission. (Continued on next slide) Source: 1987 Congressional Quarterly Almanac, p.43. Reprinted with permission. How a bill becomes a law

3. American Government McGraw- Hill © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998 Source: 1987 Congressional Quarterly Almanac, p. 42. Reprinted with permission. HR. 1 VETOED S. 2 SIGNED Once both chambers have passed related bills, conference committee of members from both houses is formed to work out differences. Compromise version from conference is sent to each chamber for final approval. Compromise bill approved by both houses is sent to the president, who can sign it into law or veto it and return it to Congress. Congress may override a veto by a two-thirds majority in both houses; the bill then becomes law without the president’s signature. (Continued from previous slide) Source: 1987 Congressional Quarterly Almanac, p.43. Reprinted with permission. How a bill becomes a law