Civics Lesson on how a bill becomes a law.

1. How Our Laws Are Made January 18th, 2010 Presented by: Tim Deacon

2. The U.S. Congress 2 The Congress of the United States of America One of the most practical safeguards of the American democratic way of life is this legislative process with its emphasis on the protection of the minority, allowing ample opportunity to all sides to be heard and make their views known. The fact that a proposal cannot become a law without consideration and approval by both Houses of Congress is an outstanding virtue of our bicameral legislative system. The open and full discussion provided under the Constitution often results in the notable improvement of a bill by amendment before it becomes law or in the eventual defeat of an inadvisable proposal.

4. Elected by the people

5. 435 members (since 1911)

6. Must be 25 years old, citizen for 7 years, resident in state (when elected)

7. Smaller districts

8. State populations during census determines number from each state

9. 2 year term

10. Entire body elected every 2 years .

12. Originally elected by state legislatures

13. 100 members

14. Must be 30 years old, citizen for 9 years, resident of state (when elected)

15. Elected on an at large basis

16. There are two Senators from each state

17. 6 year term

18. 1/3 up for election every 2 years = more continuity and stability

20. Member $174,000

21. Leaders $193,400

22. Speaker $223,500

23. Personal Staff:

24. 18 permanent and 4 non-permanent aides

25. Perks:

26. Travel allowance

27. Office space

28. Franking privileges

29. Foreign travel

30. Health Insurance

31. Retirement pensions

32. Legislative immunity

34. Member $174,000

35. Leaders $193,400

36. Personal Staff:

37. Between 26 and 60 aides (depending on size of state)

38. Perks:

39. Travel allowance

40. Office space

41. Franking privileges

42. Foreign travel

43. Health Insurance

44. Retirement pension

45. Legislative immunity

47. the committee action

48. the floor action

49. the conference committee action

50. the President action (or inaction)

52. 7 What is (and isn’t) in the bill… Floor Action Conference Committee Action The President The Bill Becomes A Law Introduce Committee Action House of Representatives Senate REFER BILL TO COMMITTEE(S) BY SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE (May be split among committees) REFER BILL TO COMMITTEE(S) BY PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE SENATE (May be split among committees) PLACE BILL ON COMMITTEE CALENDAR PLACE BILL ON COMMITTEE CALENDAR HOLD HEARINGS HOLD HEARINGS SEND BILL TO SUB-COMMITTEES SEND BILL TO SUB-COMMITTEES SUB-COMMITTEES MAKES REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS SUB-COMMITTEES MAKES REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS SUB-COMMITTEES REPORT FINDINGS TO FULL COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEES REPORT FINDINGS TO FULL COMMITTEE COMMITTEE COMPLETES WRITTEN REPORT AND SENDS TO HOUSE COMMITTEE COMPLETES WRITTEN REPORT AND SENDS TO SENATE

53. 8 Let’s talk about this bill and then vote on it… Floor Action Conference Committee Action The President The Bill Becomes A Law Introduce Committee Action House of Representatives Senate BILL IS PLACED ON CALENDAR Placed in order that they are received. Scheduled based on importance. LIMITED DEBATE (Limited by rules formulated by Rules Committee.) Entire committee debates and amends bill. Debate guided by sponsoring committee with equal time for both parties. VOTE ON BILL VOICE VOTE – Say “Aye” or “Nay.” DIVISION VOTE – Stand and be counted. RECORDED VOTE – Recorded electronically. FAIL PASS PASS OR FAIL? SEND TO SENATE BILL DIES

54. 9 Let’s talk about this bill and then vote on it… Floor Action Conference Committee Action The President The Bill Becomes A Law Introduce Committee Action House of Representatives Senate BILL IS PLACED ON CALENDAR Placed in order that they are received. Scheduled based on importance. BILL IS PLACED ON CALENDAR Placed in order that they are received. Scheduled based on importance. LIMITED DEBATE (Limited by rules formulated by Rules Committee. Entire committee debates and amends bill. Debate guided by sponsoring committee with equal time for both parties. UNLIMITED DEBATE Debate is unlimited unless Cloture is invoked. (60% of the full senate agrees on ending discussion) Members can speak as long as they wish, often using a filibuster to “talk a bill to death.” VOTE ON BILL VOTE ON BILL VOICE VOTE – Say “Aye” or “Nay.” DIVISION VOTE – Stand and be counted. RECORDED VOTE – Recorded electronically. PASS FAIL PASS FAIL PASS OR FAIL? PASS OR FAIL? SEND TO SENATE SEND TO PRESIDENT BILL DIES BILL DIES HOWEVER, BEFORE SENDING A BILL TO THE PRESIDENT, THE HOUSE AND SENATE MUST BE IN AGREEMENT, WITH JUST ONE BILL.

55. 10 What if the Senate and House Disagree? Floor Action Conference Committee Action The President The Bill Becomes A Law Introduce Committee Action House of Representatives Senate FORM CONFERENCE COMMITTEE - Members from both chambers form committees to discuss and work out differences. WORK OUT DIFFERENCES (COMPROMISE) - Can’t we just work together. REWRITE A BILL AGREEABLE TO BOTH HOUSES. PREPARE A CONFERENCE REPORT. SEND CONFERENCE REPORT AND NEW BILL TO HOUSE AND SENATE. PASS FAIL FAIL PASS PASS OR FAIL? PASS OR FAIL? SEND TO PRESIDENT SEND TO SENATE FLOOR ACTION FLOOR ACTION BILL DIES BILL DIES

56. 11 It is now up to the President… Floor Action Conference Committee Action The President The Bill Becomes A Law Introduce Committee Action The Office of The President BILL REVIEWED BILL SIGNED BILL VETOED (“I Forbid”) BILL NOT SIGNED BILL WILL BECOME LAW SENT BACK TO CONGRESS WITH EXPLANATION IS CONGRESS IN SESSION? NO YES BILL DIES BILL WILL BECOME LAW House of Representatives Senate YES YES NO NO 2/3 IN FAVOR? 2/3 IN FAVOR? SEND TO SENATE BILL WILL BECOME LAW BILL DIES BILL DIES

57. 12 …and finally, it becomes law. Floor Action Conference Committee Action The President The Bill Becomes A Law Introduce Committee Action The Office of The President Congress BILL SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BILL NOT SIGNED BY PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS HAS ADJOURNED VETO OVERRIDDEN BY CONGRESS THE BILL BECOMES LAW LAW ASSIGNED OFFICIAL NUMBER

59. Yes, I’m only a bill,

60. And I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill.

61. Well, it’s a long, long journey

62. To the capital city,

63. It’s a long, long wait

64. While I’m sitting in committee

65. But I know I’ll be a law someday . . .

66. At least I hope and pray that I will,

67. But today I’m still just a bill.

69. Yes I’m only a bill,

70. And I got as far as Capitol Hill.

71. Well, now I’m stuck in committee

72. And I sit here and wait

73. While a few key Congressmen

74. Discuss and debate

75. Whether they should

76. Let me be a law…

77. Oh how I hope and pray that they will,

78. But today I am still just a bill.

80. Yes I’m only a bill,

81. And if they vote for me on Capitol Hill,

82. Well then I’m off to the White House

83. Where I’ll wait in a line

84. With a lot of other bills

85. For the President to sign.

86. And if he signs me then I’ll be a law . . .

87. Oh, how I hope and pray that he will,

88. But today I am still just a bill.

90. But today I am still just a bill!

92. http://media.atlantic-records.com/media/schoolhouse_rock_rocks/schoolhouse_rock_rocks/bill.wav