Changing Legislation Larry Hollar, North Central Regional Organizer

1. Changing Legislation Larry Hollar, North Central Regional Organizer www.bread.org

2. The Legislative Process and Sausage

3. School House Rock gives us a brief overview… www.bread.org How does a bill become a law?

4. Let’s Start at the Beginning! www.bread.org www.bread.org So…when does the legislative process actually start?

5. November, even years Incumbency Safe for one party Elections www.bread.org

6. Congress Forms A Congress lasts two years—two one-year Sessions Committees and Subcommittees take shape www.bread.org

7. Straw Poll! Why Join a Committee? www.bread.org Clap if you think it’s a factor: • Skills of the Member • Needs of the district • Power and prestige • Chance to raise reelection $ • Cool name of committee • Comfy chairs

8. Authorizing Appropriations Budget Select and Joint Committees www.bread.org

9. Bills and Resolutions Bill (H.R. 123, S. 456) Joint Resolution (H.J.Res. 78, S.J.Res. 90) Concurrent Resolution (H.Con.Res. 111, S.Con.Res. 222) Simple Resolution (H.Res. 33, S.Res. 44) www.bread.org • Where do bills originate? • Number (the “Hopper”) • Cosponsors — Original and Additional

10. Each bill and resolution: Referred to one or more committees for possible action Fewer usually better Referral www.bread.org

11. NO Action (bill dies) Hearings Subcommittee/Committee Action www.bread.org

12. Subcommittee/Committee Action www.bread.org • Markups • Committee Reports

13. Floor Action — The House www.bread.org • Calendars • Rules (Committee and Resolution) • Floor—Debate, Germaneness • Voting

14. Floor Action — The Senate www.bread.org • Scheduling • Debate • Filibuster, cloture • Voting

15. Straw Poll! www.bread.org • VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE: • House Floor Process • Senate Floor Process • Both • Neither

16. Conference www.bread.org • Appointment of Conferees • Approval of “conference report” by conferees and then by each house, without amendment

17. The President in the Legislative Process Approval Veto Possible congressional override www.bread.org

18. Public Law (P.L. 111-62)

19. Statistics—Congress, “the great winnowing machine” www.bread.org

20. The remainder of the legislative process circle www.bread.org • Oversight, investigation • Reauthorization and Appropriations • Accountability—Media, advocacy groups • Elections

21. Where can we as advocates influence this process? www.bread.org

22. www.bread.org

23. Bread members can… • Study current legislation • Write, call or visit members of Congress • Organize Offerings of Letters • Pray for success www.bread.org

24. Why Do This Challenging Work? www.bread.org So Cadence’s Generation Can See the End of Hunger in God’s World

25. Example—The Farm Bill2007 Offering of Letter campaign www.bread.org

26. The Farm Bill2007 Offering of Letter campaign www.bread.org • No “typical” OL campaign • Reauthorized--five years • Many committees • Advocacy groups, coalitions • Bread goals: equitable support for U.S. farmers and rural communities, help hungry U.S. people, support global farmers

27. The Farm BillSpring actions www.bread.org • Statement of Principles by faith groups; OLs begin • Budget Committee--Grassley-Dorgan amendment; Bread calls • Ag Committee hearings—Bread testifies • Listening sessions • “Marker” bills

28. The Farm BillSummer actions--House www.bread.org • House Ag Committee bill—status quo • Bread pressure (calls, Offerings of Letters)  improvements • Floor action—partisan, veto threat • “Fairness Amendment”loses

29. The Farm BillFall actions--Senate • Senate Ag Committee bill – helpful provisions, but… • On floor, amendments fail without 60 votes • Former OL bill—Hunger Free Communities Act—included • To be continued in 2008… www.bread.org

30. The Farm Bill2008 actions • Conference bill—good on nutrition, few changes on commodities • Presidential veto overridden • We “changed the conversation” -- religious voices stronger • Bill Moyers, Diane Rehm, NPR interviews • 5 years hence… www.bread.org

31. www.bread.org Larry Hollar, Regional Organizer Bread for the World 1-800-82-Bread www.bread.org