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How a BILL becomes a LAW

How a BILL becomes a LAW. I'm Just a Bill. 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.

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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. 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.

  4. 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 personal or local matters rather than general affairs • appropriation bill– legislative motion authorizing the government to spend money

  5. Navigating the Legislative Obstacle Course

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

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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Making the Vote

  11. 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

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

  13. 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

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

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

  16. Explain why so few bills become law. Fact: About 5,000 bills are introduced in Congress every year, but only about 150 are signed into law.

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