Congress: Steps for a Bill Flashcards
How many steps are there for a bill?
6
What is step 1?
Introduction
- Someone in congress expresses an idea.
- They need a request from the President or others, and need a sponsor in the House and Senate.
What is step 2?
Committee consideration
In last 6 congresses, only 7% got a vote on a floor in at least 1 chamber.
What is step 3
- Scheduling
- Senate: Through an unanimous agreement, the senate majority and minority leaders put the order which a bill is debated.
- House: The House Rules Committee members can get a discharged bill back by a majority of house members.
- Can have an open or closed debate.
What is step 4
Floor debate
- House bills are time limited (voted on regardless of filibustering).
- Senate has unlimited debate time.
What is step 5
Voting
- If the bill has minor differences after going through the chambers, they agree formally to adjust the bill to make them identical.
- If the bill has significant differences, a conference committee may be set up to reconcile the differences.
What is step 6
Presidential Action
- Can either…
1. sign bill and it becomes law
2. Leave it on the desk -> Bill is passed automatically if congress is still in session for 10 days OR The bill dies (Pocket veto). It is then sent back to congress so they can attempt to amend it or allow it to die.
What’s an example of a temporary committee?
- The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis is a select committee established in the 116th United States Congress in 2019 when Democrats regained the majority of the United States House of Representatives.
What is an example where the House Rules Committee got a bill back?
- 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act banned the use of soft money contributions and raised the limit on donations to $2000.
- This has prevented corporations and unions from using their money to advertise for candidates.
What is an open and closed debate?
- Open: Amends can be added to the bill.(christmas tree)
- Closed: No amendments can be made.
What’s an example of filibustering?
In 2012, Ted Cruz spoke for 21hrs on the Affordable care act.
What can defy filibustering?
A ‘cloture motion’
What’s a cloture motion?
Must be signed by 16 senators then voted for by at least 3/5 senators for a presidential appointment.
How many clotures were made in the 117th congress?
270
How many clotures were made in the divided gov of 105?
18
