6.4 How a Bill 6.4 How a Bill Becomes a LawBecomes a Law

Civics and EconomicsCivics and Economics

Types of BillsTypes of Bills Bills fall into two categories: Bills fall into two categories: PrivatePrivate

Bills concern individual people or Bills concern individual people or places; places; PublicPublic Bills apply to the Bills apply to the entire nation and involve general entire nation and involve general matters like taxationmatters like taxation

Types of BillsTypes of Bills Along with bills, Along with bills,

Congress considers Congress considers different kinds of different kinds of ResolutionsResolutions or formal or formal statements expressing statements expressing lawmakers’ opinions or lawmakers’ opinions or decisions; most do not decisions; most do not have the force of lawhave the force of law

Joint ResolutionsJoint Resolutions= = passed by both houses passed by both houses of Congress, become of Congress, become laws if signed by the laws if signed by the PresidentPresident

Types of BillsTypes of Bills

Congress uses Congress uses joint resolutions joint resolutions to propose to propose AmendmentsAmendments, to , to designate money designate money for a special for a special purpose, and to purpose, and to correct errors in correct errors in bills already bills already passed passed

From Bill to LawFrom Bill to Law

Every bill starts Every bill starts with an idea, with an idea, ideas for new ideas for new bills come from bills come from private citizens, private citizens, the the White White HouseHouse, or from , or from special-interest special-interest groupsgroups

From Bill to LawFrom Bill to Law Special-Interest GroupsSpecial-Interest Groups= organizations = organizations

made up of people with common interests made up of people with common interests who try to influence who try to influence governmentgovernment decisions decisions

From Bill to LawFrom Bill to Law Bills can be introduced in Congress only Bills can be introduced in Congress only

by a by a SenatorSenator or Representative or Representative Every bill is given a title and Every bill is given a title and NumberNumber

when it is submitted; any bill that involves when it is submitted; any bill that involves money must start in the House of money must start in the House of Representatives Representatives

Committee ActionCommittee Action After a bill is introduced, it is sent to After a bill is introduced, it is sent to

the the StandingStanding Committee that is Committee that is related to the subject of the bill; they related to the subject of the bill; they have life and death power over billshave life and death power over bills

Committee ActionCommittee Action Committees have several options, they Committees have several options, they

can:can:

1. 1. PassPass the bill (without changes) the bill (without changes)

2. Mark a bill with 2. Mark a bill with changeschanges and suggest and suggest it be passedit be passed

3. 3. ReplaceReplace the original bill with a new bill the original bill with a new bill

4. Ignore the bill and let it die 4. Ignore the bill and let it die (“ (“ pigeonholingpigeonholing the bill) the bill)

5. 5. KillKill the bill outright by a majority vote the bill outright by a majority vote

Debating a BillDebating a Bill

Bills approved in Bills approved in committee are ready committee are ready for consideration by for consideration by the full House or the full House or SenateSenate

When they do reach When they do reach the floor of the the floor of the House or Senate, House or Senate, members argue their members argue their pros and cons and pros and cons and discuss discuss AmendmentsAmendments

Debating a BillDebating a Bill The The HouseHouse accepts only amendments accepts only amendments

relevant to the billrelevant to the bill The Senate allows The Senate allows Riders-Riders-

completely unrelated amendments-to completely unrelated amendments-to be tacked onto the billbe tacked onto the bill

Rules of DebateRules of Debate

In the House, the In the House, the RulesRules Committee Committee sets the terms for debate; it puts sets the terms for debate; it puts time limits on discussiontime limits on discussion

Rules of DebateRules of Debate The Senate has fewer rules, Senators The Senate has fewer rules, Senators

can speak as long as they wish; at can speak as long as they wish; at times they take advantage of this times they take advantage of this custom to custom to FilibusterFilibuster or talk a bill to or talk a bill to death to delay the votedeath to delay the vote

Rules of DebateRules of Debate The Senate can end a filibuster if 3/5 The Senate can end a filibuster if 3/5

of members vote for of members vote for ClotureCloture, under , under this procedure, no one may speak for this procedure, no one may speak for more than 1 hourmore than 1 hour

Voting on a BillVoting on a Bill Congressman can vote on a bill in four ways:Congressman can vote on a bill in four ways:

1. The simplest is a 1. The simplest is a Voice VoteVoice Vote in which those in which those in favor say “Yea” and those against say “No” in favor say “Yea” and those against say “No”

2. In a 2. In a Standing VoteStanding Vote those in favor of a bill those in favor of a bill stand to be counted, then those against it stand to be counted, then those against it stand to be counted stand to be counted

3. In a 3. In a Recorded VoteRecorded Vote, members votes are , members votes are recorded electronicallyrecorded electronically

4. In a 4. In a Roll-Call-VoteRoll-Call-Vote Senators respond “Aye” Senators respond “Aye” or “No” as their names are calledor “No” as their names are called

Voting on a BillVoting on a Bill A simple A simple MajorityMajority of all members of all members

that are present is needed to pass a that are present is needed to pass a bill; if a bill passes in one house, it is bill; if a bill passes in one house, it is sent to the other; if either house sent to the other; if either house rejects a bill, it diesrejects a bill, it dies

The Senate and House must pass a The Senate and House must pass a bill in bill in IdenticalIdentical form before it form before it becomes law becomes law

Senate- 51 members; House- 218

Voting on a BillVoting on a Bill If two versions of the same bill are passed, If two versions of the same bill are passed,

a a Conference CommitteeConference Committee with members with members from both houses work out the differences from both houses work out the differences and submit a revised billand submit a revised bill

The House and Senate must either accept The House and Senate must either accept it without amendments or completely it without amendments or completely rejectreject it it

Action by the PresidentAction by the President

After a bill is approved it goes to the After a bill is approved it goes to the PresidentPresident

1. He can sign the bill and declare it a 1. He can sign the bill and declare it a new new LawLaw

2. He can 2. He can VetoVeto, or refuse to sign the , or refuse to sign the billbill

Action by the PresidentAction by the President3. He can do nothing for 3. He can do nothing for 1010 days, if days, if

Congress is in session the bill Congress is in session the bill becomes a law without the becomes a law without the president’s signature president’s signature ((POCKET POCKET PASSPASS))

4. If he does nothing for 10 days and 4. If he does nothing for 10 days and Congress has adjourned, the bill Congress has adjourned, the bill dies; killing legislation in this way is dies; killing legislation in this way is called a called a Pocket VetoPocket Veto

Action by the PresidentAction by the President Congress can override a veto with a Congress can override a veto with a

2/32/3 vote of each house vote of each house

House- 290 votes; Senate- 67 votes