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 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

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)

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)

Step #2: Submitting a Bill

Every bill is given a title & number (e.g. s.11)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other actions regarding bills

If President vetoes bill:

Congress can override Presidential veto w/ 2/3 vote in both houses