Legistlation Flashcards
Bill
a draft of a proposed law presented to the legislature for consideration
Cloture (closer)
A procedure or action taken to end a debate (used to end a filibuster)
Who can propose/introduce a bill?
A member of The House or The Senate
List all the obstacles in a bill becoming a law.
1)The bill must be reviewed and passed by a committee
2)It must be reviewed, amended, and passed by BOTH chambers of congress
3)Must be signed by the president (who may use their presidential veto)
What is a Filibuster? Why can it only happen in the Senate?
Senators who Filibuster don’t stop talking during floor debate. They hold back the progression of a debate and force negotiation. It can only happen in the Senate because the Senate has the tradition of unlimited debate.
Lobbyists
a person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators.
Senate
The upper chamber in the US bicameral legislature (consists of 2 senators from each state: total 100)
House of Representatives
The lower chamber of the US bicameral legislature (the representation from each state depends of population: total 435)
Who is the leader of the Senate and what do the do?
Vice President – President Pro tempore (Kamala Harris) Main purpose: Presides over the senate, can only vote to break a tie (generally powerless job)
Who is the leader of The House and what do the do?
Speaker- Nancy Pelosi
Main purpose: to appoint members of the Rules committee and preside over House sessions
Who is the House majority leader and what do they do?
House majority leader- Steny Hoyer Main purpose: Helps Speaker plan party strategy
Who is the House majority whip and what do they do?
House Majority Whip- James Clyburn. Main purpose: to assist house maj, link between leadership and rack and file, persuade “defectors” to vote
Who is the House minority leader and what do they do?
House minority leader-Kevin McCarthy.
Main purpose: Plans strategy to get he minorities power back, and will be become speaker if they do
Who is the House minority whip and what do they do?
House Minority Whip- Steve Scalise
Main Purpose: to assist House min
Committees
a group of people appointed for a specific function, typically consisting of members of a larger group.
Standing Committees
A committee appointed with continuing responsibility in a general issue area or field of legislative activity.
Select Committees
a small legislative committee appointed for a special purpose.
Joint Committee
A committee composed of members from both chambers.
Conference Committee
A committee composed of members from the two houses specifically appointed to reconcile the differences between House and Senate versions of a bill or bills.
Enrolled
the process of changing a bill passed by both chambers into its final format for transmission to the governor.
Engrossed
the process by which a bill is updated–that is, how adopted amendments and other changes are incorporated into a bill—as it makes its way through the Senate or House.
Presidential Option
Cause Effect
Sign and pass the bill. Bill becomes a law
Refuse to sign/veto the bill. bill is sent back to the chambers who may hold the
bill to another vote and can override the veto
Do nothing aka Pocket Veto If congress is in session: Bill becomes a law in 10 days
If congress is not in session: the bill won’t become a law
Presidential Option
Cause Effect
Sign and pass the bill. Bill becomes a law
Refuse to sign/veto the bill
bill is sent back to the chambers who may hold the bill to another vote and can override the veto
Do nothing aka Pocket Veto
If congress is in session: Bill becomes a law in 10 days
If congress is not in session: the bill won’t become a law
How many ways can the President make a law? What are they?
-They can sign a congress approved bill
-Executive Orders
