The Legislative Process

1. The Legislative Process How Congress Works

2. Helping Constituents • As a lawmaker- sponsoring bills that benefit constituents. • Committee work- supporting the wishes of constituents through committees. • Problem solving- case work • What: helping constituents with their problems • Who: Congressional staff • Why: to get reelected, help individuals deal wih a large federal gov., & helps to oversee the executive branch, help District/State

3. As a Lawmaker • Pork Barrel Legislation- get “stuff” • Post Offices, dams, highways, etc. • Federal Grants- gain federal projects for their District/State • Keep Federal Projects- prevent them from leaving their District/State

4. Passing a Bill • Stage One • First Reading- clerk gives the bill a number and a title; The Speaker sends it to a committee • Committee- most work is done in subcommittee • Recommends bill be passed • Pigeonhole set bill aside & ignore it • report an amended bill

5. Calendars • House • Union-revenue & appropriations • House- all other public bills • Private- for leadership • Consent- minor bills which there is little opposition • Discharge- discharge bill from committee • Senate • General Orders • Executive

6. Stage Two • Floor Action • Quorum- minimum number of members required to carry on official business • House Committee of the Whole- 100 • House of Representatives- 218 • Senate- 51

7. Rules for Debate • House Rules Committee • Designed for the whole • Open- allows longer time & non-germane amending • Closed- strict time & little to no amending • Modified- allows only germane amending • Germane amending- an amendment must be directly relevant to the bill.

8. Debate in the Senate • Designed for the individual • Unlimited debate time • Filibuster- talking a bill to death • Cloture- 3/5s vote to limit debate

9. Stage Three • Both houses must pass identical versions of the bill • Conference Committee- made up pf members from both houses to compromise 2 versions of a bill

10. Presidential Action • Sign (bill becomes law) • Allow it to become law without signature in 10 days • Veto • Pocket Veto- if Congress adjourns before the 10 days • Congress may override a veto with 2/3s vote

11. The Organization of Congress: Committees • Legislative Committee- most important feature of Congress • Consider bills or legislative proposals (it’s estimated that only 6% of the bills introduced in Congress are ever reported by a committee for floor action). • Maintain oversight of executive agencies • Conduct investigations

12. Types of Committees • Standing committees- permanent bodies with specific legislative responsibilities(19 in House; 17 in Senate) • Select Committees- groups appointed for a limited purpose & limited duration (Organized Crime, Terrorism) • Joint Committees- those on which both representatives & senators serve • Conference Committee- a joint committee appointed to resolve differences in Senate & House versions of the same piece of legislation before final passage.

13. Committee Practices • Majority party has the majority of seats on the committee • Each member usually serves on 2 standing committees, but • House members usually serve on 1 exclusive committee • Senators receive 2 major & 1 minor committee assignments

14. Committee Practices (cont) • Seniority Rule- the most important posts will be held by “ranking members” • Committee Chairmen/women- ranking members of the majority party who decides when the committee will meet, which bills they will hear, & guides the passages of bills from his/her committee