How a Bill Becomes a Law

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How a Bill Becomes a Law

• There are two things you shouldnt see being
  made sausages and laws.

2
What is a bill?

• A bill is a written idea for a law.
• A bill can be started in either house of
  Congress, except revenue bills.
• Since both houses must pass a bill, only 3 of
  all bills become laws.
• It is a very long, involved process. Why is it
  that way?

3
House of Origin
Only a member of Congress may submit a bill. But
any citizen can suggest a bill to him/her.

• Bill is introduced.
• Gets numbered.
• Gets a reading.

4
Because there is so much to do, the work of
Congress is divided up.

• Bill goes to committee.

5
What are some committees?

• Appropriations
• Budget
• Armed Services
• Labor
• Foreign Affairs
• Judiciary

• Where money is spent
• How money is spent
• Defense, military
• Working conditions
• Relations with other countries
• Courts, impeachment

6
Leaders of committees are very powerful members
of Congress.

• Who are the chairpersons? Two key
  qualifications
• Member of majority party.
• Seniority.

7
Because there is so much to do, the work of
Congress is divided up.

• Bill goes to committee.

Bill is considered by a subcommittee.
8
What happens in a subcommittee?

• It is where it is investigated most thoroughly.
• It is here where it lives or dies. This is the
  most critical stage.
• A bill may be in subcommittee from 6 months to a
  full year.

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Goes back to writer
Whole committee votes
Full house for vote
No
Must be a quorum present (majority)
Yes
Put on calendar
10
Goes back to committee
Final version of bill
Full house
No
They can debate and vote on amendments
Yes
To pass a bill a mere majority is required

11
They too must pass it for it to become a law!
No
Goes to other house for its consideration
Yes

12
What are some of the things people do in all this?

• First of all, each house has leadership positions
  to guide legislation.
• Since there are so many members of Congress and
  so much needs to get done, these people are very
  powerful!

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Who are they?

• House
• The Speaker
• Majority Leader
• Minority Leader
• Majority Whip
• Minority Whip

• Dennis Hastert (R-Il)
• Tom DeLay (R-Tx)
• Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca)
• Roy Blunt (R-Mn)
• Steny Hoyer (D-Md)

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Who are they?

• Senate
• The President
• Pres Pro Temp
• Majority Leader
• Minority Leader

• Dick Cheney (V.P.)
• Ted Stevens (R-Ak)
• Bill Frist (R-Tn)
• Tom Daschle (D-SD)

15
Debate in the House

• Dictated by the Speaker and the Rules Committee.
• Procedures for debate and amendments is much more
  strict and limited.

16
Debate in the Senate

• The Senate is considered the most deliberative
  body in the world.
• This means they feel that if a law is to be as
  good as it must be, then all the talking about it
  should be allowed, without limit, before it is
  considered for a vote.

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Debate in the Senate

• What do you think a clever Senator might do,
  then, if he doesnt like a bill and knows he is
  in the minority?
• He can filibuster!

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If the bill passes both houses

• Then it goes to the presidents desk!
• There, four things can happen

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If the bill passes both houses

• And if, if by chance, the president signs it,
• then then

Oh boy oh boy oh boy
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Congratulations, Bill, youre now a Law!