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Lawmaking Process

Tali, Sydney, Aayushi

How Does a Bill Become a Law?

Step 1: Introducing A Law

Step 1

Anyone can come up with ideas for a bill but only a member of Congress can introduce a bill to either house.

First

Under a committee chair's leadership, the committee can ignore the bill and let it die (pigeonholding) or they choose to hold hearings to better understand the implications of the bill.

Next

A hearing are sessions at which a committee listens to testimonies from people interested in the bill.

After the hearing is complete, the committee meets up to make changes to the bill if needed.

Next

When all changes are made, the committee votes to either kill or report the bill, which means they send to the HoR or Senate for further action.

Finally

Along with the revised bill, the committee will send a written report they wrote to the House or Senate. In here it describes the committee's actions, describes the bill, lists the major changes made, and gives opinions on the bill.

Floor Action

The debate on the floor of the House and Senate, followed by voting.

Step 2

Basics of Floor Action

Basics

  • Only a few lawmakers take part in this

  • Floor debates are the point when amendments can be added to a bill
  • Any lawmaker that is present can propose an amendment
  • Amendments can correct errors or can slow the process of passing
  • Amendments are only added to a bill when a majority of members approve them

Debate on the House Floor

House Floor

  • Speaker and Majority Leader decide when a bill goes before the whole house
  • Representatives can offer an amendment only if approved by Rules Committee
  • A quorum of members must be present
  • Voting Styles: Voice ("Aye" or "No"), Standing, and Recorded (votes cast electronically and put on display)

Debate on the Senate Floor

Senate Floor

  • After voted favorably, a bill is passed to the full senate for a vote
  • Majority leader decides when to bring legislation up for voting
  • Every Senator has opportunity to speak, which can result in filibustering
  • Filibustering can be stopped by a cloture, or majority
  • Similar voting styles to House floor, but roll call vote instead of recorded

Final Steps in Passing a Bill

An identical bill must pass both Houses of Congress

Step 3

Conference Committee Action

Conference Committee

A conference committee is made to smooth out differences between the seanate and house form of the bill

Presidential Actions on Bills

Presidential Action

The president signs to approve a bill

He can also keep it for ten days when Congress is in session.

Presidential Vetos

The president can veto a bill and return it with his objections

Or he can pocket vet which means he keeps it for ten days when Congress is not in session

Veto

Congressional Override

If the president vetoes a bill the Congress can override it with a 2/3 vote from both houses

Congressional Override

Registering Laws

A bill is then registered as a law

It is given a designation that states if it is a public or privite law, what Congresss passed it, and then a number

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