The document outlines the powers of Congress, which include both legislative and non-legislative powers. It then describes the legislative process by which a bill becomes a law, including being introduced, referred to committee, debated through multiple readings in each chamber, reconciled between chambers if amended differently, and finally submitted to the President for approval or veto. It notes the President can veto a bill, but a veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in each chamber.

1. POWERS OF CONGRESS

2. POWERS OF CONGRESS
Legislative Powers
•Specific powers of appropriation
•Taxation
•Expropriation
Non-legislative Powers
•Power to canvass the presidential elections
•Declare the existence of a state of war
•To give concurrence to treaties & amnesties
•To propose Constitutional Amendments
•To impeach
Expressly conferred by the Constitution.
Derivative powers: implied powers = contempt in legislative investigation
Inherent powers = determination of its rules of proceedings & discipline of
members.

3. POWERS OF CONGRESS
Legislative Power in General
The power to make laws include the power to alter & repeal them.
How Does a Bill become a Law?
•A bill is introduced by any member of the House / Senate
•1st reading: involves a reading of the number & title of the measure and its
referral by the Senate President/Speaker to the proper committee for study
A BILL MAY BE KILLED IN THE COMMITTEE or recommended for approval
•With or without amendments
•Public hearings may be held
•Similar bills present = consolidation into one bill under common authorship
or as a committee bill

4. POWERS OF CONGRESS
Once reported out, the bill shall be calendared for 2nd reading.
•Bill is read in its entirety, scrutinized, debated, amended when desired.
MOST IMPORTANT STATE in the passage of a bill.
•The Bill as approved in the 2nd reading is printed in its final form, copies
distributed at least 3 days before 3rd reading
3rd Reading
•Members merely register their votes and explain them (if allowed by internal
rules). No debates are allowed.
Transmittal to the other chamber = to undergo 3 readings.
•If there are differences between the version approved by the 2 chambers,
BICAMERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE will draft a compromise measure
which is germane to the subject of said bills.
•IF ratified by the Senate & the House of Representatives, submitted to the
President for his consideration.

5. POWERS OF CONGRESS
APPROVAL OF BILLS Sec. 27, ART VI
1. When the President signs it
2. Presidential veto, but presidential veto is overridden by 2/3 vote of all the
members of each House
1. Unconstitutionality
2. Inefficacious
3. Unwise
1. With veto message to the House of origin.
3. President does not act upon the measure within 30 days after it shall have
been presented to him (LAPSED INTO LAW)
Is PARTIAL VETO ALLOWED?
Generally NO. Exception: appropriation, revenue & tariff bills.

6. POWERS OF CONGRESS
APPROVAL OF BILLS Sec. 27, ART VI
1. When the President signs it
2. Presidential veto, but presidential veto is overridden by 2/3 vote of all the
members of each House
1. Unconstitutionality
2. Inefficacious
3. Unwise
1. With veto message to the House of origin.
3. President does not act upon the measure within 30 days after it shall have
been presented to him (LAPSED INTO LAW)
Is PARTIAL VETO ALLOWED?
Generally NO. Exception: appropriation, revenue & tariff bills.