2.  A Bill is a proposed law
presented to the House or
Senate for consideration

3.  Bills introduced to Congress will originate
from:
› Executive branch
› Special interest groups
› Private citizens
› Congress itself
 Bills are introduced by members of
Congress

4.  Public bill—affects the entire nation
 Private bill-affects certain persons or
places
 Joint resolution—a proposal for some
action that usually deals with special
circumstances or temporary matters.

5.  Concurrent resolution—a statement of
position on an issue (does not require the
president’s signature)
 Resolution—matters that deal with only one
house (does not need the president’s
signature)
 Rider—an unrelated matter that is included in
a bill, usually does not have enough merit to
pass on its own

6.  In committee, bills are reviewed and
considered for reporting (worthy of going
to the House or Senate floor for debate)
 Bills that are not reported are pigeonholed
 Any bill that has sat in committee for 30
days can be forced onto the floor for
consideration with a discharge petition
(motion must be signed by a majority)

7.  Subcommittees—information gathering
(trips, witnesses, investigations)
 Committee Actions:
› Favorable report
› Pigeonhole
› Amend and report
› Unfavorable report
› Report a committee bill (substitution)

8.  Committee of the Whole—less formal than floor
proceeding used to speed up floor business (100
members needed)
 Debate—limits on speaking time (house only)
› 1 hour per person (max)
› Demand a vote (40 minutes)
 Voting
› Voice vote
› Standing vote
› Teller vote
› Roll-call vote
› Electronic vote