How a Bill Becomes a Law

1. How a Bill Becomes a Law Wilson 13 D

2. Standard Procedure • See pages 348-9 • Draft and introduce • Committee • Hearings • Action • Mark-up • Amendments • Ordered • Calendar • Public report • Debate • Vote • Most die in committee • May be referred to more than one committee • Similar procedures in both houses • Rules committee in the House • Filibuster in the Senate • Reconcile/conference • President • Override

3. Initiation • President proposes, Congress disposes • Reality is most originates in Congress • Types • Private/public bills • Simple/concurrent/join resolutions • House • Hopper, speaker • Senate • Independent, individual member

4. Passage • Referrals • Multiple • Sequential • Reporting • Ordered • Discharge petition • Rules • Closed • Open • Restrictive • Bypassing in House • Not in Senate • Procedures • Committee of the Whole • Quorum call • Cloture • Double-tracking • Vote • Voice • Standing • Teller (House only) • Roll call • Electronic counters in House only

5. Veto • Requires 2/3 vote in each house to override - Cleveland 414 - Pierce/Johnson 50% - FDR 693 - “W” 4/12 = 33% • Pocket veto – held by president until session ends, less than 10 days • Unsigned – held by president for more than 10 days, becomes law • Signed – immediately becomes law