The Path to Policy: How a Bill Becomes Law

1. How a Bill Becomes a Law (6.4) 1b: Evaluate how individuals and groups can effectively use the structure and functions of various levels of government to shape policy.3c: Explain how to monitor and influence public policy.

2. 2 Categories of Bills • 1) Private Bills • - bills that deal w/ individual people or places • - e.g. Oil Drilling in Banning Lewis Ranch • 2) Public Bills • - bills that deal w/ entire nation • - e.g. taxes

3. Step #1: Ideas for bills • 1) U.S. citizens • When large # of constituents request a particular law • 2) Special-interest Groups • Organization made up of people w/ common interest & want a law changed/passed (unions)

4. Step #1: Ideas for bills (c0nt.) • 3) Committees of Congress (e.g. Commerce) • Committee investigations reveal need for new law • 4) Members of Congress • Experiences of members • 5) President of U.S. • Recommends laws he/she feels needed to improve country (state of the union speech)

5. Step #2: Submitting a Bill • Every bill is given a title & number (e.g. s.11)

6. Step #3: Bill to Committee • Bill sent to standing committee that deals w/ subject of bill (e.g. conservation) • Committee can: • 1) pass bill in its current form • 2) revise bill, then pass it • 3) replace original bill w/ new bill • 4) ignore bill & let it die (i.e. pigeonhole) • 5) kill bill w/ majority vote

7. Step #4: Debating the Bill • Bill is submitted to floor of House or Senate for a vote • Members of Congress argue pros/cons of bill + any revisions

8. Step #4: Debating the Bill (cont.) • Revisions • House • Accepts only amendments relevant to bill • Senate • Accepts riders- completely unrelated amendments- to be added to bills

9. Step #4: Debating a bill (cont.) • Debate • House of Representatives • puts time limit on debate • Reason: too many members to allow full debate • Senate • Allows members to speak as long as he/she wishes

10. Step #4: Debating a bill (cont.) • Senate • Filibuster: method of debating a bill continuously until bill’s sponsor withdraws the bill • Used by opposition of bill to kill the bill and prevent its passage • How applied: Senator or group of senators continuously talk about bill

11. Step #4: Debating a bill (cont.) • Cloture: method to end a filibuster • requires a 3/5 vote • allows members to only speak for a maximum of 1 hour

12. Sept #5: Voting on a Bill • Voting in House • Voice vote: verbal “yea” or “nea” • Majority rules • Standing vote: physical “stand and be counted” (yes & no) • Majority rules • Recorded vote: electronic vote

13. Sept #5: Voting on a Bill (cont.) • Voting in Senate • 1) voice vote • 2) Standing vote • 3) Roll-call vote: respond “yea” or “nea” as the name of the Senator is called • Simple majority all that is needed from members that are present

14. Sept #5: Voting on a Bill (cont.) • Bill passed in one house is sent to the other after voting • If: • 1) either house rejects the bill, it dies • 2) 2 different versions of the same bill are passed, the 2 bills go to conference committee • Both houses must pass exact same bill for it to be approved & sent to President

15. Step #6: President & Bills • Actions of the President: • 1) Sign the Bill as written & approved by Congress • 2) Veto: refuse to sign the Bill • 3) Not sign the bill for 10 days • If Congress in session, bill becomes law • 4) Pocket Veto: not sign the bill for 10 days • If Congress out of session, bill dies

16. Other actions regarding bills • If President vetoes bill: • Congress can override Presidential veto w/ 2/3 vote in both houses