BILLS AND LAWSAmerican Government

BILLS Bill-

A proposed law. public bill:

Applies to the entire nation. private bill:

Applies only to certain people or places.

BILL IN THE HOUSE Introduction

The bill is first introduced in the House. Committee action:

The bill is then referred to its respective standing committee . It then goes to a subcommittee for study, hearings, revisions, and

approval. It then goes back to full committee for more hearings and

revisions. The bill then goes to the rules committee to set conditions for

debate and amendments. The rules committee can speed, delay, or kill the legislation

Floor Action Its then debated on the floor then passed or defeated. If its

passed it then goes to the Senate.

BILL IN THE SENATE Senate

The bill is first introduced in the Senate. Committee action

The bill is then referred its respective standing committee. It then goes to a subcommittee for study, hearings, revision, and

approval. It then goes back to full committee for more hearings and

revisions.

BILLS IN THE SENATE In order to receive debate and a floor vote the bill

must be placed on the calendar by the Majority Floor LeaderThe bill is then debated then passed or defeated. If passed it

then goes to the House.

ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE

Conference CommitteeThe Conference Committee reconciles differences between

House and Senate versions of a bill. Congressional Approval

The House and Senate vote on the final passage of the billThe approved bill is then sent to the president

PresidentThe President then signs the bill into law or the bill is

vetoed. A Presidential veto can be overturned by two-thirds vote in each

house in Congress.

PROCEDURE Filibuster

The filibuster is a tactic used in the Senate whereby a vote on legislation can be delayed through debate. The longest filibuster was made by Strom Thurmond and lasted 24 hours This tactic is rarely used in the traditional sense in today’s Senate

Generally if a filibuster is threatened (and the required number of Senators can’t be reached for cloture) the bill is returned to committee

Cloture This is the process in which it takes 40 senators to cut off a

filibuster and is aimed at protecting minority interests

RESOLUTIONS Joint Resolution-

A joint resolution is a proposal for some action that has the force of law when passed. Joint resolutions usually deal with special circumstances or temporary matters.

CONT Concurrent Resolution-

A concurrent resolution is a statement of position on an issue, adopted by the House and Senate acting jointly.

A concurrent resolution does not have the force of law and it does not require the presidents signature.

Resolution-A resolution is a measure dealing with some matter in one

house of Congress. A resolution does not have the force of law and it does not

require the President’s signature.

GRIDLOCK One of the major issues with the current Congress is

the perception of gridlockGridlock is the belief that Congress and the president are in

a state of disagreement that results in little legislation being passed

IMPERIAL CONGRESS The concept of the Imperial Congress describes a

Congress that succeeds in establishing itself as the dominant player in legislation and foreign policy