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Lawmaking. Mr. Rhodes. “I’m Just a Bill”. Bill - proposed new law or an amendment to an already existing law. Law - A bill or act passed by the legislative body. Most ideas for bills come from the ideas of everyday citizens!!!!!!!!!!. Types of Bills.
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Lawmaking Mr. Rhodes
“I’m Just a Bill” • Bill- proposed new law or an amendment to an already existing law. • Law- A bill or act passed by the legislative body.
Most ideas for bills come from the ideas of everyday citizens!!!!!!!!!!
Types of Bills • Public Bill- Apply to the nation as a whole. Ex. Civil Rights Act of 1964 • Private Bill- Apply to certain persons or places rather than an entire nation. Ex. Congress passed an act to give an Idaho sheep rancher $85,000 for his losses resulting from attacks by grizzly bears which had been moved nearby.
Types of Bills • Appropriation Bill- legislative motion that allows the government to spend money. Ex. Defense spending to support troops in Iraq.
Writing a Bill • It is important that when a bill is written that proper language is used. • There is a push to now write laws in more simplistic language. However, many laws are still written in a language that is too complex to understand.
What Needs To Happen For A Bill To Pass To A Law? • Once a bill passes through the House and the Senate committees it goes to the floor. • Once on the floor a debate begins. • After the debate there is a vote. Majority rules. • It then goes to the president and if he signs off it the bill becomes a law. • If he the president gives the bill a veto it can stay alive with a 2/3 vote.
The Debate • House of Representatives • Short and Sweet • Senate • Much more time. Members can block legislation • Filibuster- prolonged debate or other delaying tactics aimed at blocking the passage of a bill favored by a majority of lawmakers…can go on for days. • Hold- signals the intention to launch a filibuster • Cloture- supermajority (2/3 vote can cut off the debate)
Ways Congress Votes • Voice Vote • All together call out aye (yes) or no • Standing Vote • Stand to be counted • Roll Call Vote • Each member’s vote if officially recorded
About 5,000 bills are introduced in Congress every year, but only about 150 are signed into a law. Why do you think so few bills become a law? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Should the lawmaking process be reformed? What changes would you recommend?
School House Rock • I’m Just a Bill