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How a BILL becomes a LAW

How a BILL becomes a LAW. I'm Just a Bill. It all starts with an idea!. Think of 3 things in your life that you think government should or should not be doing. Law Making. Only a member of the House or Senate may introduce a bill but anyone can write a bill.

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How a BILL becomes a LAW

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  1. How a BILL becomes a LAW

  2. I'm Just a Bill

  3. It all starts with an idea! • Think of 3 things in your life that you think government should or should not be doing.

  4. Law Making • Only a member of the House or Senate may introduce a bill but anyone can write a bill. • Over 9,000 bills are proposed and fewer than 5 to 10% are enacted. • A bill must survive three stages to become a law: committees, the floor, and the conference committee.  • A bill can die at any stage.

  5. Types of Bills • public bill– proposed legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern and application • private bill – a proposed legislative bill that deals with specific private, personal, or local matters rather than general affairs • appropriation bill– legislative motion authorizing the government to spend money

  6. Once it is written... • A bill may begin in either house • BUT...bills of revenue must begin in the House of Representatives.

  7. Making the Vote

  8. Navigating the Legislative Obstacle Course

  9. Step 1: An Idea for a Bill Sources: Member(s) of Congress Private Citizen Interest Group Federal Agency White House Governor(s) Mayor(s)

  10. Senate: Bill formerly read aloud on floor Bill then given to clerk Referred to committee by Steering Committee House: Bill dropped in hopper Referred to committee by the Speaker Step 2: Writing & Introduction of Bill Sen. Smith introduces bill on the Senate floor ~ Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

  11. Step 3: Committee Action • House & Senate committees conduct public hearings • Experts testify • Markup of bills • Committee vote: report favorably, unfavorably, or table bill House Armed Services Committee

  12. Step 4: Floor Action - Senate • Party leaders schedule bills for floor debate on the calendar • Unlimited debate • Filibuster - member(s) keep talking to block debate on a bill • Cloturevote by 3/5 of Senators (60) can end filibuster • Floor vote: Roll Call, Standing, Voice Senator Strum Thurman still holds the record for the longest filibuster - 24 hrs 18 min. on the 1957 Civil Rights Act

  13. Step 5: Approved Bill Crosses Over to Other House • Approved bill must pass each chamber by a simple majority

  14. 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

  15. Step 7: Both Chambers Vote on Final Version of the Bill

  16. Step 8: President Considers Bill President can: • sign the bill into law • veto bill • pocket veto Note: Congress can override veto with 2/3 vote in each house; only 4% of vetoes have been overridden *Pocket Veto-Prez can ignore the 10 day bill signing period if Congress adjourns prior to the 10 days. The bill is then dead.

  17. Critical Thinking: Fact: About 5,000 bills are introduced in Congress every year, but only about 150 are signed into law. Explain why so few bills become law. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Should the legislative process in Congress be reformed? If yes, what changes would you recommend? If not, why not?

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