how a bill becomes a law civics. types of legislation bills: thousands are introduced, few become...
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How a Bill Becomes a Law
Civics
Types of legislation• Bills: thousands are introduced, few
become laws• Public bills: involve national issues• Private bills: deals with groups or
individuals (less in number)• Resolutions: may be passed by either
house, or jointly. Do not involve the President! (Doesn’t have the force)
Why do so few bills become laws?• Less than 5%• Process is long &
complex (100 steps)• Measures must have strong support• Supporters must be willing to
compromise• Some bills introduced that don’t have
any chance (however, logrolling helps)
The Lawmaking Process
A bill can be written by anyone, not just Congress or the President!
1) Introducing a Bill
Only Congressman can introduce it on the
floor
The “hopper” is a box
2) Committee Action
Bills spend most of their time here. Both houses usually agree on decision of members
Sometimes bills must go to subcommittees. Most bills DIE in committee
3) Floor Action
This is where debate takes place (2nd reading)Amendments are added (sometimes strategy)
3) Floor Action
Once a Bill passes this stage, it must receive a majority vote in BOTH the House and Senate (A quorum is required)
4) Conference Committee
Bills go here because they must be passed in identical form!The differences are worked out by “conferees”
Back to the Floor!
The bill then goes back to both houses for vote
5) Presidential Action
There are several types of vetoes: including pocket (last 10 days) and line-itemOverriding takes a 2/3 vote by both houses
A flow chart of process: