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Legislative Process in Congress Chapter 13, Theme E

Legislative Process in Congress Chapter 13, Theme E. AP Government Selina Jarvis. Paradox: Functions of Congress. Lawmaking Representation Are these two things compatible? Quick overview of process in E-Congress & this week’s blog. Lawmaking: Trustee focus.

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Legislative Process in Congress Chapter 13, Theme E

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  1. Legislative Process in CongressChapter 13, Theme E AP Government Selina Jarvis

  2. Paradox: Functions of Congress • Lawmaking • Representation • Are these two things compatible? • Quick overview of process in E-Congress & this week’s blog.

  3. Lawmaking: Trustee focus Goal=solutions to national problems Responsibilities: • Legislative Oversight- Oversee what Exec. Br. & bureaucracy is doing • Educate Public- Avenue through which public can be informed about pending legislation—Hearings held • Resolves conflict—Treaty approval, clarify through legislation • Provide security—Funds military & other security forces, creates new ones via laws.

  4. Representation: Delegate Focus Goal=represent constituents of their districts and protect their interests Responsibilities: • Services to constituents Exs? • Protect districts generally protect interests within district Exs.? • Pork-channel federal funds into their districts Exs.?

  5. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 1: Creation • Draft a bill- anyone can draft a bill, only members of Congress can introduce one • Ideas may come from lawmaker, constituents, special interest groups, etc. • Factors to consider: • “ideal law”- Can it pass? • What is content? How much money is asked for? Who is going to implement the bill? (Power)

  6. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 2: Introduction • All appropriation bills begin in the HOR. This includes the federal budget. • HOR bill is put in the hopper. Senator is recognized. After 1st reading, it is titled & numbered. (HR or S) • Referral- Speaker/Leaders decides which committee bill is sent to. Usually multiple committees (multiple referrals) look at new bill, esp. in HOR *BCD= bill can die!

  7. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 3: Committee Action • Standing Committee Considers • Vehicle by which bills are sorted through—reduce # • Senate committees consider confirmations of all appointments & approval by 2/3 of all treaties. • Committee Actions • Sent to subcommittee to study & recommend • Pigeonhole bill • Public Hearings held on bill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAOUTydryLo&feature=related • Mark up session • Full Committee vote to report out or not *BCD

  8. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 4: Floor • Senate uses unanimous consent to bring to floor • House Rules Committee- important to leadership of Congress; under direct control of Speaker. Makes rules regarding how bill will be debated on floor and when (and if) it reaches floor • 3 types of rules: • Open- any amendments can be offered (Germane only in HOR) • Closed- no amendments (typical of majority party & nearly all appropriation bills in HOR) • Modified- Combination of two- ex. Certain types of amendments

  9. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 5: Voting- complicated process Basic steps: • Adopt rules (HOR) • Debate by paragraph • HOR time limits—usually 5 minutes • Filibuster/Cloture in Senate • Amending phase, usually Senate • Vote (HOR: Roll Call/Teller; Senate: Voice, Standing or Roll Call/Teller) *BCD

  10. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 6: Other House • If bill makes it this far, it now goes to the other house for consideration. • The process of steps 1-5 is repeated in the other house *BCD

  11. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 7: Conference • Conference Committee- composed of supporters from both chambers of both parties • Must make compromise billidentical in language then send it back to House and Senate for re-approval. *BCD

  12. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 8: Re-approval • Vote on Conference Committee Bill must be successful in both chambers. • If successful- Bill moves to President’s desk *BCD

  13. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 9: Presidential Approval • President gets bill • Can sign- bill becomes a law http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYq9bZhIyrA&feature=fvst • Can veto- bill with veto message goes back to house of Congress that originated http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/stemcellveto.htm • Can set aside (Becomes law after 10 days w/o signature) • Can pocket veto *BCD

  14. How a Bill becomes a Law Step 10: Override • If vetoed- 2/3 majority needed in both chambers to override • If overridden, bill becomes law. • Today, with divided government, a veto is a sure way to kill legislation…

  15. History of Presidential Vetoes

  16. Results of the Legislative Process

  17. More Results

  18. Legislative Productivity by President, Party & Congressional Term

  19. Where Bills Hit a Snag…

  20. Assignment • Read the rest of Chapter 13, pp. 356-358 & handouts on Ethics, Expulsion & Censure. Take notes on rules and examples of implementation of these rules. • Complete the Pro/Con sheet on Reforming Congress. I would recommend going to a site like procon.org or other debate sites to get objective arguments on both sides.

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