How a Bill Becomes a Law How Does

How a Bill Becomes a Law

How Does a Bill Become a Law See page 285 (conventional Model) 1. A Member introduces the bill 2. A subcommittee and committee craft the bill 3. Floor action on bill takes place in first chamber • Floor Action = debate, amendments, filibuster (Senate Only) and final vote 4. Committee and floor action in second chamber

How a Bill Becomes a Law? 1. 2. 3. 4. Conference committee if Bills are different Vote on conference committee bill President Signs or Vetoes If vetoes a 2/3 override vote is necessary

What are the four types of legislation (pg. 281) • • Bill Simple Resolution Concurrent R Joint Resolution

3) What are some of the important deviations from the conventional process? (283)

Deviations from Conventional Process See page 286 1. 20 % of major bill bypass the committee system 2. 1/3 of bills are adjusted post committee 3. Summit meeting between congress and the president may bypass or jump start committee action 4. Omnibus Legislation- Huge bills that cover many different subject, topics and often contain pork barrel projects

What is the Difference between the House and Senate? What type of bills must start in the House? What powers are unique to the Senate?

The Senate Can Filibuster! • Mr. Smith’s Filibuster • The filibuster-is a blocking technique in which the Senate can block legislation by speaking indefinitely • The Senate does not allow debate to be shut down with out cloture • Cloture requires a vote of 60/100 Senators • History of the filibuster

Senate Vs. House (3 central differences Continuity of membership has an impact on bills n the Senate 1. 2/3 ds of Senators are returning each turn providing greater stability of rules 2. The Process of getting a bill to the floor is much more complicated in the House 3. Open debate in the house vs. Rules Committee deciding the debate and amendment (closed, open, modified) rules for each bill with floor managers enforcing (generally five min. debate)

What is the general role of Congressional oversight? (286) 7) What are the specific mechanisms of this oversight power? (287 -288)

Oversight Power • Power of the Purse

Oversight Power • Hearings and Investigations

Oversight • Legislative Vetos

Senate Oversight • Treaties require Advice and consent of the Senate (2/3’s) • Presidential Nominations require “advice and consent” (majority but 41 can filibuster)

Ultimate Power Impeachment • House Impeaches • Senate Tries the official