Bill becomes a law Flashcards
Idea is introduced 1
Members of Congress,lobbyists,and the President or Governor comes up with ideas for bills. Anyone can suggest an idea.
Bill is written 2
Once the bill is written, it will be proposed on the floor of one house by a senator or represenatives
Bill goes through committees 3
Each bill goes to the appropriate committees, experts are consulted and Amendment’s are discusses
What can occur in Stage 3
1
Bill Passes no changes
What can occur in Stage 3
2
Bill is passed with changes
What can occur in Stage 3
3
Bill is replaced with alternative
What can occur in Stage 3
4
“Pigeon holding” Chair of the committee ignores the bill
What can occur in Stage 3
5
Bill is denied committees do not agree
What is a Congressional Committee
Committes are groups of members within Congress who specialize in a particular topic to investigate, debate, and report on legislation
How are members appointed to Congressional committees
Members are appointed by the committee chair each committee
How many committees are there
There are 16 standing committees in the Senate and 20 Standing Committees in the House
Floor Debate 4
Both houses allow members to debate the bill and propose changes
Floor Debates
In the Senate
Senators can add amendments that are not connected to the bill (called riders)
No time limits in senate
A senator can speak for hours to to prevent a vote on a bill (filibuster)
Filibuster can only end through a “cloture” vote of 3/5 of the senate
Voting on a Bill 5
A simple majority of 51% is needed to pass a bill into the next house
Conference Committee 6
Members of both houses meet to compromise on a single version of a bill-must be passes by both houses
