Post on 18-Jan-2018
description
How a (tax) bill becomes a law
House or Senate
House or Senate
House
BILL ISINTRODUCED
SENT TO COMMITTEE
REFERED TO SUBCOMMITTEE
REPORTED BY FULL COMMITTEE(WITH RECOMMENDATIONS)
GIVEN TO RULES COMMITTEE
DEBATE ONHOUSE FLOOR(and a vote – 50+%)
SENATE
BILL ISINTRODUCED
SENT TO COMMITTEE
REFERED TO SUBCOMMITTEE
REPORTED BY FULL COMMITTEE(WITH RECOMMENDATIONS)
DEBATE ONSENATE FLOOR(and a vote – 50+%)
SENT TO CONFERENCECOMMITTEE
(adjusted & vote)
BACK TO HOUSE&
BACK TO SENATE
FOR VOTE
SENT TO PRESIDENT
Presidential Actions
• Sign it into law• Ignore it into law (if Congress is in
session)• Veto the bill• “Pocket veto” (ignore it –
Congress not in session)
Veto actions by Congress
• Override the veto (2/3 vote in House & Senate)• Impeach the President
How a bill becomes a law
(Additional Notes)
Introducing a bill
• Ideas for bills may come from anyone• Bills are introduced into Congress (US) or
the Legislature (States) by legislators only.
• Most bills “die” in committee• All revenue bills must start in the HOUSE–WHY?
Why do revenue/spending bills start in the House?
• Connects to the idea of “Limited Government”
• The House has more members = more debate
• The House is “closest to the people”
Why is the process so long?
• Connects to the “Limited government” idea
• A good idea will make it through• An idea that is not good or not ready will
die*Side note: This is why people are so critical of “Executive Actions”
The “reality” of lawmaking
• The process is often streamlined (shortcuts)
The “reality” of lawmaking
• The process is often streamlined (shortcuts)–All people involved communicate along
the way
The “reality” of lawmaking
• Political parties play a huge role
The “reality” of lawmaking
• Political parties play a huge role–“Majority Leader” decides what gets
introduced–They know the opp. Party will reject–Introduce after the election
The “reality” of lawmaking
• Interest groups (esp. rich, powerful) have enormous power
The “reality” of lawmaking
• Interest groups (esp. rich, powerful) have enormous power–They have the resources to influence
the government
*Side note: this is why critics do NOT like more government involvement!
The “reality” of lawmaking
• Names have meaning
The “reality” of lawmaking
• Names have meaning–“Affordable Care Act”–“Clean Air Act”–“No child left behind”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYsyRg4U8qM
Saturday Night Live
Version!!
Types of Committees
• INTERIM committees meet between legislative sessions.• CONFERENCE committees resolve
differing versions of bills• SPECIAL/SELECT committees created
for specific purposes
Types of Laws
Laws that deal with crimes & punishments are called
Laws that deal with crimes & punishments are called
Criminal Law
Laws that involve disputes between 2 or more parties (people, organizations,
etc.) are called
Laws that involve disputes between 2 or more parties (people, organizations,
etc.) are called
Civil Law
Major / Serious crimes are called
Major / Serious crimes are called
Felonies
Medium/Moderate crimes are called
Medium/Moderate crimes are called
Misdemeanors
(degrees - disorderly conduct, prostitution)
Minor crimes are referred to as
Minor crimes are referred to as
Summary Offences
(Non-traffic – loitering, petty theft)
A piece of legislation enacted by a local municipal authority.
A piece of legislation enacted by a local municipal authority.
Ordinance
Who deals with the broken laws or disputes depends on
Who deals with the broken laws or disputes depends on
Jurisdiction
Federal crimes include:
Federal crimes include:
mail fraudidentity theft
drug trafficingillegal immigrationillegal downloading
State crimes include:
State crimes include:
violent crimeproperty crime *weapon offenses
kidnappingstalking