Bills and Congress Flashcards
How a Bill Becomes a Law – Overview
Introduction: Only a member of Congress can introduce a bill.
Committee Action: Bills are assigned to committees where they are debated, amended (“marked up”), or killed.
Floor Debate & Voting: Bills that survive committee review are debated and voted on by the full House or Senate.
Conference Committee: Resolves differences between House and Senate versions.
Presidential Action: The President signs the bill into law, vetoes it, or (if Congress is in session) lets it become law without a signature. A pocket veto occurs if Congress adjourns before the 10-day period expires.
Roles of the Three Branches in Lawmaking
Legislative Branch (Congress):
Proposes and debates bills.
Uses committees to refine and assess legislation.
Executive Branch (President):
Makes a bill law by signing it; may veto or pocket veto.
Can recommend legislation.
Judicial Branch:
Interprets laws and can declare actions or laws unconstitutional through judicial review.
Factors Influencing Legislators’ Votes
Bill Merits: Pros and cons of the proposed legislation.
Constituents: Positions and opinions of voters.
Interest Groups: Lobbying by organizations (e.g., Tobacco Institute vs. American Heart Association).
Party Position: The stance of the legislator’s political party.
Personal Record/Convictions: Previous votes and personal beliefs.
Example:
Voting on a cigarette tax increase:
For: Raise revenue; discourage smoking.
Against: High current taxes; burden on smokers; risk of smuggling.
Role of Committees
Do the “real work” by reviewing, amending, and debating bills before they reach the floor.
Conduct oversight of executive agencies and hold investigations.
Standing Committees
Permanent panels (e.g., Ways and Means, Judiciary
Subcommittees
Focus on specific aspects of a bill
Select/Special Committees
Formed for a specific purpose or investigation.
Joint Committees
Include members from both the House and Senate.
Conference Committees
Resolve differences between House and Senate versions
Resolve differences between House and Senate versions
House of Representatives:
435 members; 2-year terms; based on state population.
More specialized committee assignments; strict debate rules (limited to one hour).
Revenue bills must originate here.
Senate:
100 members; 6-year terms; equal representation (2 per state).
More open debate; filibuster possible (debate can be halted only by a 60-vote cloture motion).
Confirms judicial nominees and ratifies treaties.
Incumbency Advantage:
High re-election rates (House >90%, Senate >80%) due to perks such as franking privileges, media exposure, and constituent services.
Speaker of the House
Presides over the House; powerful in committee assignments and legislative agenda setting
House Rules Committee
Controls debate time and determines which amendments are allowed.
Majority/Minority Leaders & Whips
Coordinate votes, manage debate, and influence committee assignments.
Caucuses
Groups (e.g., Congressional Black Caucus) that represent shared interests
Delegate Representation
Lawmakers mirror their constituents’ specific policy positions
Trustee Representation
Lawmakers use their judgment to decide what is best, even if it may not always mirror constituent opinion.
Gerrymandering
The drawing of district boundaries to favor a particular party.
Example: Illinois’ 4th Congressional District connecting Hispanic neighborhoods.
Incumbency Advantages
Free Mail (Franking Privilege): Ability to send mail to constituents without cost.
Media Exposure & Constituent Services: Maintain strong local presence.
Campaign Spending: Incumbents typically have larger war chests, making it harder for challengers to compete.
Conference Committee
Resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
Final Approval
Both chambers must pass the identical bill before it is sent to the President
Presidential Options
Sign: Bill becomes law.
Veto: Bill is returned to Congress; can be overridden by a 2/3 vote in both chambers.
Pocket Veto: If Congress is adjourned, no action within 10 days results in the bill’s failure
