Legislative Process Flashcards
First step in legislative process is
Introduction of a bill to congress
Who can write the bill that is introduced to congress
Anyone
Who can introduce legislation
Members of congress
Some important bills are traditionally introduced at the request of
The president
Bills introduced by president
Annual federal budget
During the legislative process, the initial bill can
Undergo drastic changes
After being introduced, a bill is referred to
The appropriate committee for review
Amount of committees in the senate
17
Number of subcommittees in the senate
70
Committees in the house
23
Subcommittees in the house
104
The committees are not
Set in stone
Committees change in number and form with
Each new Congress
Each committee oversees
A specific policy area
Subcommittees take on
More specialized policy areas
The house committee on Ways and Means includes (specific and specialized policy area)
Subcommittees on social security and trade
A bill is first considered in a
Subcommittee
A bill is first considered in a subcommittee where it may be (3)
Accepted
Amended
Rejected entirely
If members of a subcommittee agree to move a bill forward
It is reported to the full committee
After the bill is reported to the full committee from the subcommittee
Accepting,amending, or rejecting decision process happens again
Throughout the bill processing of the sub/full committee
Both committees call hearings to investigate merits and flaws of bill
On hearings of merits/flaws of bill _ are called in to provide testimony (3)
Experts
Advocates
Opponents
For hearings, committees can compel people to appear by
Using subpoena power
If full committee votes to approve bill after hearings
It is reported to the floor of house or senate
Along with being reported to the floor of house/senate
Majority party leadership decides when to place the bill on the calendar for consideration
If bill is particularly pressing
It might be considered right away
When the bill comes up for consideration
The house has a very structured debate process
Each member who wishes to speak (debate process) (house)
Only has a few minutes
When one speaks (debate process) (house)
Number and kind of amendments are usually limited
In senate, debate on most bills are
Unlimited
