Passing a Bill Flashcards
Step 1
- legislation is drafted (anyone can do this, you do not need to be in Congress to do so)
- Bill must be introduced to the floor by a member of Congress
- bills about tax/revenue start in the House
Step 2
- the majority leader consults the parliamentarian about which committee to send the bill to
Parliamentarian
an advisor who has studied the long and complex rules of the chamber; advises the majority leader in the bill passing process
Step 3
Once sent to a committee, the committee chair is empowered to move the bill through the committee as they see fit
Step 4
Once approved by a committee, a hearing for the bill must occur
- committee chair can decided not to do this and kill the bill
- hearings can contain experts, interests groups, and bill sponsors
Step 5
Bill enters the markup stage (an amending and voting process
- committee votes to advance the bill or table it
Tabled Bill
bill is dead but can be brought back up for a vote again
Step 6
bill is presented to the chamber
Step 7
Once debated and amended, the bill is voted on and if a simple majority votes to advance it, it goes to the other wing
Step 8
Bill is put on a calendar to be debated or can be sent to its own committees
- Senate has a more flexible debate system and usually has time limits
- Filibuster and Cloture
Step 9
In order to ensure the House and Senate are passing the same bill after being amended and debated by both wings - 3 solutions:
1. First chamber accepts the bill that exits the second chamber
2. first chamber amends the second chamber’s bill and sends it back to the second chamber
3. bill is sent to a conference committee that negotiates a reconciliation both chambers can accept without amendment
Step 10
Bill is sent to the President for signature or veto
- if vetoed, both chambers must have a 2/3rds vote to overcome the veto and make it into law without presidential approval
