1. How a Bill Becomes a Law
• I’m just a bill…
(video)
2. Bill v. Law
• What is the difference between a bill and a law?
• A law is a bill or an act passed by a legislative
body.
– A BILL must be signed into LAW by the President
3. Types of Bills
• public bill – proposed legislative bill that deals
with matters of general concern and application
• private bill – a proposed legislative bill that deals
with specific personal or local matters rather than
general affairs
• appropriation bill – legislative motion
authorizing the government to spend money
4. “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”
• Briefly describe Mr. Smith’s bill i.e.
what does he want to do?
• What type of bill is Senator’s Smith’s
bill (public, private, appropriations,
or combination)?
• Does Miss Saunders, the legislative
assistant, think this bill will become a
law? Why or why not?
5.
6.
7. Delegate or Trustee??
• delegate – duty to represent “the folks back
home” and vote based on the will of their
constituents
• trustee – duty to vote according to their own
conscience and view of what is best for the
district, state or nation as a whole.
Which should members be first? Delegates or
trustees?
10. Law Making
• Only a member of the House or Senate may introduce a bill
but anyone can write a bill.
• A bill must survive three stages to become a law:
committees, the floor, and the conference committee.
• A bill can die at any stage.
Fact: About 5,000 bills are introduced in Congress every
year, but only about 150 are signed into law!!!
14. Step 2: Writing & Introduction of Bill
House: Senate:
• Bill dropped in hopper • Bill formerly read aloud on floor
• Referred to committee by • Bill then given to clerk
the Speaker • Referred to committee by Steering
Committee
Sen. Smith introduces bill on the Senate floor
~ Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
15. Step 3: Committee Action
• House & Senate committees conduct public
hearings
• Experts testify
• Markup of bills
• Committee vote: report
favorably, unfavorably,
or table bill
House Armed Services Committee
17. Step 4: Floor Action - Senate
• Party leaders schedule
bills for floor debate on
the calendar
• Unlimited debate
• Filibuster - member(s)
keep talking to block
debate on a bill
• Cloture vote by 3/5 of
Senators (60) can end
filibuster
• Floor vote: Roll Call,
Standing, Voice Senator Strum Thurman still holds the record for the longest
filibuster - 24 hrs 18 min. on the 1957 Civil Rights Act
18. Step 5: Approved Bill
Crosses Over to Other House
• Approved bill
must pass each
chamber by a
simple majority
19. Step 6: Conference Committee
• Members from each chamber meet to reconcile
differences in the two bills
Senate-House Conference Committee works out details of the 2003
Healthy Forest Restoration Act
20. Step 7: Both Chambers Vote on Final
Version of the Bill
21. Step 8: President Considers Bill
President can:
1. sign the bill
into law
2. veto bill
3. pocket veto
? Line Item Veto?
Note: Congress can override veto with 2/3 vote in each house; only 4% of
vetoes have been overridden
*Pocket Veto-President can ignore the 10 day bill signing period if Congress
adjourns prior to the 10 days. The bill is then dead.
22. Political Cartoon Wrap Up!
• Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon (Who? What?
When? Where?).
• Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the
Republican Party) portrayed in the cartoon and analyze what
they represent.
• What is the artist’s message in the cartoon? What do you think
is its purpose?
• Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message?
Explain your answer.
• What does this cartoon show us about Congress in general and
the legislative process in particular?
23. Explain why so few bills become law.
Fact: About 5,000 bills are introduced in Congress
every year, but only about 150 are signed into law.
