{Legislative Branch

Standards 10-11

{I can describe the process of how a bill is created and how it becomes a law.

Standard 10 - How a Bill becomes a Law

10.1 I can monitor for meaning as I learn the process of how a bill becomes a law.

Learning Target

1. Any Congressman can introduce a bill

May be introduced in one house or both

2. Bill assigned to a committee by Speaker or Pres Pro Temp

Introducing a Bill

3. Standing Committee will revise bill

Chairman delegate parts of bill to subcommittees

Committee Approval Committee votes Written report on

changes and why they favor bill

4. Rules Committee (HoR only)

Sets rules for floor debate

Committee Action

{ {House of Representatives 5. Limited debate Debate follows strict

rules with equal time for both sides

Debate must be germaine (relevant)

Quorum Call: 218 must be present to vote

Senate

5. Unlimited debate Filibuster: Senator can

take the floor and not stop debating to keep a vote from happening

Can speak about any topic Cloture: motion to end

filibuster. 3/5 vote required

Quorum call: 51 must be present to vote

Floor Action

6. Conference Committee:

joint committee that works out the difference between the bills that were passed by each house.

7. Both houses must vote again on revised bill

Final steps

8. Bill goes to the President 9. He signs it or Does not sign it (becomes a law within 10 days) or Veto: can be overridden by 2/3 vote in Congress

Pocket Veto: Does not sign it and Congress is not in session so they can not override it

Veto is how the President checks the powers of Congress

Presidential Approval

{10.3 I can infer how different types of bills effect my life.

Types of Bills

Public: affects the general public

Example: gun control Private: benefit specific

individuals, corporations, or group of people

Example: veterans benefits

Types of Bills

Joint Resolution: used to propose amendments or provide emergency funding, designating a holiday, commemoration

Requires both houses and presidential approval

Types of Bills

Rider: unrelated legislation is attached to a bill.

AKA: Piggyback Purpose: to pass through

something that would not otherwise pass

Example Lobbyist: someone who

works to persuade legislators to pass laws that will benefit a particular organization/group

Types of Bills

Voice vote: vote take by the leaders asking those in favor to “aye,” those opposed say “nay”

Roll-call vote: each congressman’s name is called and he votes, all votes are recorded

Types of Voting

KY Bills Reflection: Which 2 bills do you think were most

important/relevant? Which bill do you think has the best

chance of passing through the Kentucky Legislature?

Notebook Item 18

{I can identify the different types of congressional committees, and evaluate the roles they play in the House and Senate in determining legislative agendas and providing oversight .

Standard 11- Committees

What is a Committee

Definition: small group of people assigned to complete a specific task, such as construct a bill

Chairman: head of the committee

Types of Committees

Standing Committees: Permanent committees

that are always present in either house

Example: Budget, Commerce, Homeland Security

Select and Special Committees

New committees established to deal with a special issue like an investigation or new issue

Types of Committees

Joint Committees: HoR and Senate

committees join together in a committee

Subcommittees: Committee within a

committee that handles a specific task

Example: Committee on Homeland Security

House of Rep Committee

Created as a Select Committee after 9/11

2005: became standing committee

Current: 33 members Chairman: Michael

McCaul 6 subcommittees such

as Border Security, Cypersecurity, etc