Unit 4 Legislative Branch

The Key Steps in the Legislative Process Unit 4Legislative Branch Essential Questions: How does a bill become a law? What role do congressional committees play in the legislative process?

QUICK REVIEW HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • The number of Representatives each state can elect is based on the size of that state’s population. Each state has at least 1 Representative. • The House of Representatives has 435 • Representatives total. • Every 10 years, after the census is taken, • Congress determines how the seats in the • House are apportioned, or distributed

QUICK REVIEW THE SENATE • Each state is represented equally. • 2 members per state • 100 members total

How a Bill Becomes a Law… • Who starts the bill process? • Who decides what bills will be voted on in a Congress’ session? • What is the process a bill goes through to become a law?

Ideas for new laws/bills originate from: • U.S. citizens—constituents making requests of their Congress members • Interest groups—business organizations and labor groups seeking to protect their interests • Committees of Congress—Members of Congress assigned to committees, who are experts in certain fields • The President—often introduces ideas for laws in the State of the Union Address

Step 1: Bill is Introduced • Only a member of Congress can introduce the bill • A bill can start in either House of Congress… • …except for appropriations bills—they must • start in the House of Representatives • The bill is given a bill number and title by the • clerk. H.R.516.IH Bring Jobs Back to America Act

Step 2: Bill is Assigned to a Standing Committee • Each house of Congress has standing committees that are the first to consider a bills. • Standing committees are related to specific policy issues Ex.—Armed Services Committee, Finance Committee, • Each committee has a: Committee chair (from the majority) Committee ranking member (from the minority)

Step 2: Bill is Assigned to a Standing Committee • Most standing committees are divided into subcommittees • Subcommittees do most of the committees’ work • Ex.—Senate Judiciary Committee has 7 subcommittees on more specific judicial policy issues such as the Immigration, Border Security, and Terrorism Subcommittee.

Step 2: Bill is Assigned to a Standing Committee (cont) • They discuss the bills merits, debate, and “mark up” (edit) the bill so it will be passed on the floor. • They can “pigeonhole,” or kill the bill in committee. • The bill must also be passed through the House Rules Committee.

Step 3: Bill is Reported to the Floor • If the bill “survives” the committee, it is sent to the whole house for debate and vote. • The committee has “reported the bill favorably to the floor.”

Step 3: Bill is Reported to the Floor (cont) • The Speaker determines which bills are discussed and for how long. • Committee chairs and ranking members • give out debate time to other members.

Step 4:Bill is Debated and Voted on in the House • Bills can be considered by the whole House • This is called “Committee of the Whole.”

Step 4:Bill is Debated and Voted on in the House (cont) • Votes are done electronically. • This is a “role call” vote. • A tote board on the wall shows the tally. Red = Oppose Green = Agree Yellow = Abstain • Votes can also be taken by voice—yeas and nays, or a “teller vote”

Step 1 (again): Bill Goes to the Senate • The bill is sent to the U.S. Senate and introduced. • The bill is given a bill number and title by the clerk. S.1738.IS Economic Growth and Job Protection Act of 2011

Step 1 (again): Bill Goes to the Senate (cont) • As is the House, the bill must be referred to the appropriate standing committee. • The Senate subcommittees hold hearings and “marks up” the bill. • When the bill is ready, the standing committees “report” the bill to the Senate floor.

Step 2 (again): Bill is Debated and Voted on in the Senate • The Senate Majority Leader determines which bills are scheduled, when and for how long. • Debate in the Senate is unlimited, except for debate on Presidential appointments. • Filibusters can be used by the minority to block bills. • 3/5 (60) of the Senate has to agree to end debate (this is called a vote of “cloture”)

Both Houses Must Pass the Bill • A simple majority in both houses is need to pass the bill. (51%) • In the House: 218 needed • In the Senate: 51 needed

Step 5: Conference Committee • Each House passes its own bill. • If there are any differences, they must be ironed out and made into one bill. • The bill is considered by a conference committee, made up of both House and Senate members. • They negotiate to create a compromised version of the bill.

Step 6: Compromised Bill is Voted On • They compromised bill is sent back to both houses, to be voted on. • If the bill passes BOTH houses, it is sent to the President.

Step 7: Bill is Sent to the President • President can sign the bill if he wants it to become law. • He can include “signing statements” saying how the law should be enforced, etc. • He can veto or reject the bill. He must include his reasons. • He can choose not to act on a bill. If Congress is in session, it becomes law after 10 days. • If Congress is not in session, the bill dies after 10 days. This is called a “pocket veto”.

Step 7: The Bill Becomes Law • If the President vetoes the bill, both houses can reconsider the bill. • Two-thirds (67%) of both houses are needed to override the President’s veto. In the House: 369 votes needed In the Senate: 67 votes needed • If the President signs the bill, it is federal law and all states must follow it.

Unit 4 Legislative Branch