How a Bill Becomes Law A Bill v
How a Bill Becomes Law
A Bill v. A Law Bill - a proposed new law introduced within a legislature that has not yet been passed, enacted or adopted
A Bill v. A Law - a bill or act passed by a legislative body
A Congressman’s Balancing Act How should I vote? My constituents first or my country? ? ? Floor vote on the Energy Bill! Delegate Role - duty to represent “the folks back home; ” i. e. vote the way your constituents want instead of voting based on one’s on beliefs and values
Pork Barrel Legislation Government spending that gives tangible benefits, public works programs or military bases, to constituents in hopes of winning re-election
A Congressman’s Balancing Act How should I vote? My constituents first or my country? ? ? Floor vote on the Energy Bill! Trustee Role - vote according to their own conscience or view of what is best for the district, state or nation; sometimes in opposition to what constituents want
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Step 1: An Idea for a Bill Sources:
Step 2: Writing & Introducing a Bill Senate: 1. Bill formerly read aloud on floor 2. Referred to committee Senator Smith introduces bill on the Senate floor ~ Mr. Smith Goes to Washington House: 1. Bill dropped in hopper 2. Referred to committee by the Speaker
Step 3: Committee Action 1. House & Senate committees conduct public hearings 2. Mark-up of bills 3. Committee vote: report favorably, unfavorably, or table bill House Armed Services Committee
Step 4: Floor Action - Senate 1. Party leaders schedule bills for floor debate on the calendar 2. Unlimited debate 3. Filibuster - member(s) keep talking to block debate on a bill 4. Cloture vote by 3/5 of Senators (60) can end filibuster 5. Floor vote Senator Strum Thurman still holds the record for the longest filibuster - 24 hrs 18 min. on the 1957 Civil Rights Act
Step 4: Floor Action - House 1. Rules Committee schedules bills on calendar & decides whether amendments may be added 2. Limited debate 3. Floor vote
Step 5: Approved Bill Crosses Over to Other House • Approved bill must pass each chamber by a simple majority
Step 6: Conference Committee • Members from each chamber meet to reconcile differences in the two bills Senate-House Conference Committee works out details of the 2003 Healthy Forest Restoration Act
Step 7: Both Chambers Vote on Unified Version of the Bill
Step 8: President Considers Bill The President can: 1. sign the bill into law 2. veto bill 3. pocket veto Note: Congress can override veto with 2/3 vote in each house; 4% of vetos have been overriden only
Critical Thinking: Fact: About 5, 000 bills are introduced in Congress every year, but only about 150 are signed into law. 1. Explain why so few bills become law. 2. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Explain your answer.
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