Origin and passage of legislation in the US vs Uk Flashcards
UK origin of legislation
In the uk the overwhelming majority of legislation is introduced and originates from the governing party in the House of Commons- the elected chamber.
Eg- Sir Christopher Chope MP of the conservatives introduced the BBC Licence Fee Civil Penalty Bill at its first reading.
US origin of legislation
In the US party loyalties in congress mean that it’s not always the governing party that introduces a bill. The Senate and HoR may not both have a majority of representatives to the governing party meaning that bills could be introduced by the opposition party.
Eg- the HoR currently has a Republican majority of 222 seats and the Senate has a republican lead of 49 seats.
Uk committee stage
There are 16-50 MP’s chosen to referent the balance of the parties in the Common’s, they report on a bill after it’s been introduced and finished the 1st and 2nd reading.
Eg- standing committees consider around 250 bills each year.
US committee stage
Both the Senate and HoR have a committee stage- members are usually experts on topics such as agriculture, education etc. They review, research and make amendments to bills before voting on whether or not to “kill a bill” - stop it from continuing legislation.
Eg- In November 2023 the bill Promoting Resilient Buildings Act was reported on by committees and voted to keep the bill.
UK final stage- Royal Assent
When a bill has completed all its parliamentary stages it must receive royal assent from the monarch who signs the bill into law.
Eg- royal assent has never been refused since 1707.
US final stage
When a bill has completed all stages it gets sent to the White House where the president either vetoes, pocket vetoes or signs the bill into law.
Eg- Donald trump vetoed a bill aiming to restrict presidential war making authority.
