How a Bill Becomes a Law Power Point

8/3/2019 How a Bill Becomes a Law Power Point

1/16

How a Bill Becomes a LawHow a Bill Becomes a Law

Chapter 6 Section 4Chapter 6 Section 4


2/16

Where do our lawsWhere do our laws

come from?come from?


3/16


The Constitution gives Congress theThe Constitution gives Congress the

power to make laws.power to make laws.

Bills fall into two categories:Bills fall into two categories:

Private billsPrivate bills

Public billsPublic bills


4/16


Ideas for bills come from:Ideas for bills come from:

Private citizensPrivate citizensTheWhite HouseTheWhite House

SpecialSpecial--interest groupsinterest groups


5/16


Resolutions can also be passed.Resolutions can also be passed.

--statements expressing lawmakers opinionsstatements expressing lawmakers opinions

--not the same as lawsnot the same as laws

Joint resolutionsJoint resolutions

--passed by both housespassed by both houses

--can become law if signed by presidentcan become law if signed by presidentExamplesExamples--propose constitutional amendments,propose constitutional amendments,

designate moneydesignate money


6/16

How a Bill Become a LawHow a Bill Become a Law

Before Congress considers a bill, it must beBefore Congress considers a bill, it must be

introduced by a senator or representative.introduced by a senator or representative.


7/16


After being introduced, the bill is sent toAfter being introduced, the bill is sent tothe standing committee that is related tothe standing committee that is related tothe subject of the bill.the subject of the bill.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/committee.http://www.govtrack.us/congress/committee.xpdxpd


8/16


Standing Committees have life and deathStanding Committees have life and deathpower over a bill. They can:power over a bill. They can:

Pass the billPass the bill

Make changes to the billMake changes to the bill

Replace the bill with a new oneReplace the bill with a new one

Ignore the bill and let it die (pigeonholing)Ignore the bill and let it die (pigeonholing)

Kill the bill with a majority voteKill the bill with a majority vote


9/16


Debating the BillDebating the Bill

Bills approved byBills approved by

committee are sent tocommittee are sent to

the House or Senatethe House or Senate

where they arewhere they are

debated.debated.


10/16


During the debates:During the debates:

The House can add amendments, but theyThe House can add amendments, but theyhave to be related to the bill.have to be related to the bill.

The Senate can add riders to the bill whichThe Senate can add riders to the bill whichdo not have to relate to the bill.do not have to relate to the bill.


11/16


The House sets rules for their debate.The House sets rules for their debate.

The Senate is smaller, and has fewer rules.The Senate is smaller, and has fewer rules.

Senators can speak as long as they want.Senators can speak as long as they want.

FilibusterFilibuster-- Senators try to talk a bill to death.Senators try to talk a bill to death.

ClotureCloture-- The Senate can end filibusters withThe Senate can end filibusters with

cloture which puts a time limit on how long theycloture which puts a time limit on how long they

can speak.can speak.


12/16


Voting in CongressVoting in Congress

After the debate, the bill is brought to a vote.After the debate, the bill is brought to a vote.

SenateVoice vote

Standing vote

Roll-call vote

House ofHouse ofRepresentativesRepresentatives

Voice voteVoice vote

Standing voteStanding vote

Recorded VoteRecorded Vote


13/16


The Senate and House must passThe Senate and House must pass

a bill in identical form before ita bill in identical form before it

becomes a law!becomes a law!


14/16


If both the Senate and House pass the bill, it goesIf both the Senate and House pass the bill, it goesto the president.to the president.

The president canThe president can

Sign the bill and declare it a new lawSign the bill and declare it a new lawVeto the billVeto the bill

Do nothingDo nothing

--If Congress is in session, it becomes a lawIf Congress is in session, it becomes a lawwithout the presidents signature after 10 days.without the presidents signature after 10 days.

--pocket vetopocket veto-- if Congress has adjourned the billif Congress has adjourned the billdies.dies.


15/16


If the President vetoes the bill, it can beIf the President vetoes the bill, it can be

voted on again in Congress. It needs 2/3voted on again in Congress. It needs 2/3

the vote from both houses to pass.the vote from both houses to pass.


16/16


Its not easy for a bill to become a law.Its not easy for a bill to become a law.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In3V3Fknhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In3V3Fkn

AsEAsE

Documents

How a Bill Becomes a Law Power Point