Legislative Overview

Legislative Overview By Kayla Bellinger & Sikavi Quashie

Learning Objectives • 1: Explain how a bill becomes a law • 2: Differentiate between members of Congress • 3: Explain the checks and balances built into Congress

How a Bill Becomes a Law • Introduced to the House of Representatives • Speaker assigns the bill to the correct committee, which is then forwarded to a subcommittee • The bill is sent to agencies that will be affected by the change, then hearings and testimonies are held • The bill may be recommended or not recommended to be tabled by the committee and subcommittee • Interest groups, experts in the field, campaign contributions and lobbying may influence the bill. • The full House of Representatives then hears the bill and may add amendments

How a Bill Becomes a Law (Continued) • The bill will then be sent to the Senate • The bill is sent to a committee and subcommittee in the Senate. • The bill is also sent to agencies that will be affected and hearings and testimonies are held • The subcommittee then votes and makes recommendations with or without amendments • The full Senate hears the bill and may make amendments • If the bill and amendments from the House of Representatives are accepted, the bill goes to the president • If the Senate adds additional amendments, the bill must return to the House to be voted on • If the Senate adds minor amendments, the House may pass the bill • If the amendments are controversial, a Conference Committee may be called to review the changes • The Conference Committee is composed of equal parts of the House and Senate • If the Conference Committee reaches a decision that is not accepted, another Conference Committee will be composed

How a Bill Becomes a Law (Continued) • Laws will be forwarded to appropriate agencies to be put into effect • The agencies will propose how to put the law into effect and will create regulations to be place in the Federal Register • A bureaucracy then takes that information and creates a solid plan of regulation for the law • This information is sent to each state for legislation • Each state may respond differently and may hire lawyers and lobbyists • Litigation may eventually take place to dispute the law • Once a decision is reached, the bill goes to the president • The bill becomes a law with the president’s signature • The president has up to 21 days to veto the bill, or it will automatically become law • If there are less than 21 days in the particular Congressional session, a “pocket veto” will occur if the president does not sign the bill • The bill is then dead unless two thirds of Congress overturns the veto

Example of the Law Making Process • The Affordable Care Act • Signed in 2010 by President Obama after several amendments were made • Changes are currently being implemented • Law will be fully implemented by the end of 2014

Three Branches of Government Legislative, Executive, Judicial .Designed to ensure equality and fairness with checks and balances.

Legislative (Congress) • Responsible for making laws. • Composed of the Senate, House of Representatives, and agencies that support Congress. • The Senate and House of Representatives have equal power but differ in some of their roles. • Congress can make laws, declare war, raise and provide public money, impeach and try federal officers, approve presidential appointments, and approve treaties negotiated by the executive branch.

Senate (Upper House) • Must be at least 35 years of age and a citizen for 9 years. • Members must reside in the state they represent. • Composed of two members from each state who serve for six years. • May appoint Cabinet secretaries and federal judges. The Senate has the power to try impeachments.

House of Representatives (Lower House) • Composed of 435 members, determined by the population of each state, which is reassessed every ten years. • Members must be atleast 25 years of age, be a US citizen for 7 years and live in the state they would represent. • Members serve two year terms. • Representatives spend their week in Washington, D.C. and return to their district on the weekends. • They consider how each bill would affect them and their constituents (members of their district). • Representatives also spend their time debating, overseeing government agencies, and serving on committees. Members may also elect the president when the Electoral College is tied.

Headed by the president and vice president, composed of several departments and agencies. • The executive branch enforces laws, appoints judges to Supreme Court, spends money as authorized by Congress, and grants pardons for crimes. The executive branch may also declare a state of emergency. Executive Branch

Judicial Composed of Supreme Court, Lower Courts, Special Courts, and court support organizations. This branch makes arrangements for prisoners, administers laws, and may declare laws unconstitutional.

Match the Data • 2 members from each state • Another name for Congress • This branch is headed by the president • Composed of equal members of the Senate and House • Changes made to a bill by the Senate or House • The Supreme Court is part of this branch • Executive • Conference Committee • Senate • Judicial • Amendments • Legislative Branch

References (2012, June 23). USA.gov. Retrieved from http://www.usa.gov/ Haas, K.L. (n.d.) The role of the house. Retrieved from http://kids.clerk.house.gov/high-school/. Healthcare.gov. (2012, June 28). Retrieved from http://www.healthcare.gov/law/timeline/full.ht ml U.s. capitol visitor center. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/aboutcongress/index.html

Legislative Overview