Origin and Passage of Legislation USA

Question 1

Origin

Answer 1

Can be introduced by any congressman or senator, except money bills which must originate in the House of Representatives but the senate must review financial bills.
Bills can originate from the President eg Obamacare.
Party loyalties in congress mean that both the majority and minority party can introduce legislation.

Question 2

Introduction of a bill

Answer 2

Bill goes straight to committee stage so is sent to a group of congressmen to review it rather than the whole house having a say. There is no debate yet. A bill can be killed before the whole house has seen it.

Question 3

Committee stage

Answer 3

Committee pass the bill to a sub-committee who hold hearings and mark up the bill. The committee can then hold its own hearings and edit the bill. The bill is then reported back to the House who can send the bill back to the committee, kill it or pass it with some changes.

Question 4

Passing a bill

Answer 4

The USA requires a 3/5 majority to pass a bill, whereas in the UK they just need a majority.
A minimum of 100 congressmen must be present in the House of Representatives.
Bill is sent to the senate if they make changes it must go back to HofR until both agree.

Question 5

Presidential Action

Answer 5

The bill is sent to the White House where the President has 10 days to decide to sign the bill o not. The President has 3 options: sign the bill, VETO (don’t sign) or pocket VETO which allows the bill to become a law at the objection of the President. However, congressmen can overturn a VETO with a 2/3 majority in both houses.