How a Bill Becomes a Law: Flashcards
Bill
Is a proposed law
Sponsor
is the person who proposes the bill
Public Bills
Applies to the general public
Private Bills
Concern Individuals
Where does a bill start?
Either the House or Senate
When introducing the bill the senate _______
a motion from the floor
When introducing the bill the House ________
placed in a box called the hopper
Each bill is sent to a standing Committee by either the:
- Speaker of the House
- Majority Leader of the Senate (w/ help of the Steering Committee)
Standing Committees
PERMANENT
-Specialize Committee: Bills fall under their Jurisdicition
Select Commitees
TEMPORARY Committees set up for investigative purposes
Joint Commitees
Made up of members of BOTH houses of Congress
Standing Committees will ____
- Research the bill to see if it will work
- Hear testimony
- Look for loopholes (how people can get around the new law)
Pigeon Hole
Set a side to discuss later
Clean Bill
Get rid of the bill and write a new one to replace it
“Mark up”
Make changes to the bill in committee or subcommittee
Report Bill Favorably to the floor:
Pass bill as it is
Report Bill Unfavorable to the floor:
Done if law is controversial and general public is aware it exists
When a bill has been in the “House Commitee” for more than 30 days a representaive can _________
Bypass Committee to use a DISCHARGE PETITION (Requires a Majority Vote) to send the bill to the house floor
Calenders
Once passed by committe the bill will be put on a calender. All bills must be voted on in order to be placed in a calander
House Calendar
Revenue ($$) Bills
Union Calendar
All other Public Bills
Private Calendar
Private Bills
Consent Vote
No discussion needed, just a vote
Who rules the Committee and is VERY POWERFUL?
The House