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Congress II

Congress II. Agenda. Admin: Exams Feedback Current events The legislative process Congressional decision making. Exam. D A D D B C B E D C. E C B C D B C C C A. C D D A B C B B E C. E B B B D B D C D D. A A C D D C D A A A. In the news.

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Congress II

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  1. Congress II

  2. Agenda • Admin: • Exams • Feedback • Current events • The legislative process • Congressional decision making

  3. Exam D A D D B C B E D C • E • C • B • C • D • B • C • C • C • A • C • D • D • A • B • C • B • B • E • C • E • B • B • B • D • B • D • C • D • D A A C D D C D A A A

  4. In the news With Obama Wavering, Congress Seeks to Chart a Course on Afghanistan Along those lines, Republicans are expected to introduce a spate of amendments to this week's fiscal 2010 Defense Appropriations Act in the Senate. One will probably be a demand to have McChrystal testify before Congress — a move the Defense Department has so far resisted until after the Administration sets its policy. Other potential amendments include one to increase funding for troop training, an amendment expressing the sense of the Senate in support of troop increases and maybe even one expressly supporting McChrystal's recommendations. On the Democratic side, an amendment is expected, perhaps from Wisconsin Democrat Russ Feingold, that would set a timeline for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.

  5. The Legislative Process…

  6. The Legislative Process • Bill Introduction and Committee Referral Only members may introduce II/3: recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient When Members introduce legislation, it is referred to a Congressional Committee that has jurisdiction over that policy area. Key actors:?

  7. The Legislative Process II. Bill Referral Senate: one owns it; House can split it up Sequential vs. split referral: Speaker of the House decides Key actors?

  8. The Legislative Process III Committee and possibly a relevant subcommittee will study the bill, bring in witnesses, debate it, and vote whether or not to report it out. • No requirement for action on a bill • Powerful chairman determine schedule • Public hearings? Mark up session? • Amend or completely rewrite “clean bill”? • Report the bill with (mandatory in House) or without explanation to the floor • Power of the party and where bills go to die Policy formulation stage Key actors?

  9. The Legislative Process IV. Access to the Floor Once reported out of committee, legislation then must be scheduled on the floor. In the House, the Committee on Rules issues a “rule” for consideration of the bill that governs the time allotted for debate and the potential for floor amendments. In the Senate, consultation between the Senate’s majority and minority leaders generally determines the Senate’s floor schedule. Key actors? Rules committee and chamber rules matter!

  10. Rules matter • In House— • Rules Committee determines debate of the bill; open or closed • granted most to sponsor and opponent of bill • In Senate— • leadership matters in determining unlimited debate • Filibuster 3/5ths vote needed for cloture • Unlimited ability to propose amendments

  11. The Legislative Process V. Floor/legislative passage Legislation generally must pass with a majority vote on the floor and, in the Senate, sometimes it requires a three-fifths vote to pass legislation. Vote trading—log rolling Amendments—open or closed Once passed the House and Senate, the two chambers’ different versions of the legislation must be reconciled. Often this happens in Conference Committee. Still, after Conference, both Chambers must approve any changes made in Conference. Key actors?

  12. The Legislative Process • Reconciling differences Once passed the House and Senate, the two chambers’ different versions of the legislation must be reconciled. Often this happens in Conference Committee. • Amendments between the houses: two volleys typical • Conference committee: Speaker and Committee chair • House Speaker select by support, responsible, proponents of floor provisions • Senate: focused on seniority • Vote count essential (Whips in action) • Conference report sent back and looks for approval • No sequence necessary; usually easiest first • Key actors?

  13. The Legislative Process VII. On to the White House If both chambers approve, the bill is then sent to the President for a signature or veto. Threeoptions: Sign into law Veto and send back 2/3 can then pass Don’t sign If Congress adjourns, effectively a veto (pocket) If Congress in session, passes Key actors?

  14. Congressional Decision-Making • Constituency • Name one piece of legislation your representative supports • Name one piece of legislation you’ll demand of your representative to provide • Feedback through town halls, letter writing, going to DC

  15. Congressional Decision-Making • Party Discipline • Leadership PACs • Committee Assignments • Access to the floor • The Whip system • Logrolling • The Presidency

  16. Congressional Decision-Making • Interest Groups • Policy experts? • Authoring legislation • Testify before committees • Getting members to write in • Campaign contributions • www.opensecrets.org

  17. Summary • The Legislative Process • The dual nature of Congress… representation v lawmaking

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