Organization%20of%20Congress

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Organization of Congress
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Committee StructureTypes of Committees

• Standing Committees
• Select Committees
• House Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate
  the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane
  Katrina
• Joint Committees
• Conference Committees

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Committee StructureCommittee Assignments

• Decided by House/Senate leadership of each party
• Chairmanship usually based on committee seniority
• Legislators seek key assignments
• Of interest to their district
• Prestige
• House Ways and Means, Appropriations, Energy
  and Commerc
• Senate Finance, Judiciary

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Committee Structure

• Energy and Commerce Committee
• 31 Democrats
• 26 Republicans

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How a Bill Becomes a Law
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Step 1 Introduction

• Someone has to write the proposed legislation
• Legislator / legislators / staffs
• Administrative agencies
• White House
• Interest groups
• Sponsorship

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Step 1 Introduction

• Introduction
• House / Senate / both
• Given a number
• Government Printing Office
• Referred to one or more committees by presiding
  officer of House or Senate (or both)
• Whole bill may go to multiple committees
• Or may be broken up into parts

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Step 2 Committee Action

• Committee requests comment from relevant
  government agencies, and interest groups often
  also provide comment
• May be referred to a subcommittee by committee
  chairman
• Subcommittee holds hearings
• Prepares report for full committee

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Step 2 Committee Action

• Full committee
• More hearings
• Mark-up / Amendments
• Bill reported out of the House or Senate
• Along with a report explaining vote and
  amendments
• What if the committee does nothing?
• Generally, means bill dies