Slideshow prepared for a series of lectures on the U.S. Congress for PS 101 American Government at the University of Kentucky, Spring 2008. Dr. Christopher S. Rice, Lecturer.

1. The Congress
Dr. Christopher S. Rice

2. The First Congress

3. Federal
Hall,
NYC

4. # of Members
65
26
SENATE HOUSE

5. 435
# of Members
100
65
26
SENATE HOUSE

6. 1912 > 435
# of Members
100
65
26
SENATE HOUSE

7. PROBLEM:
Can representatives effectively
represent that many people and the
diversity that entails?

8. Volume of Business
# of Responsibilities

9. Volume of Business
# of Responsibilities

10. (cc) 2007 Flickr user Lance Johnson

11. (cc) 2007 Flickr user Lance Johnson

12. (cc) 2008 Flickr User charsplat

13. (cc) 2007 Flickr user Joe Lanman

14. Congress has become more
institutionalized

15. Congress has become more
professionalized

18. Who is Congress, Anyway?

19. 80%
(cc) Flickr user vidrio

20. The American People CONGRESS

21. (cc) 2006 flickr user mahalie

22. The numbers in the 110th Congress:
HOUSE SENATE
African-
42 1
Americans
Jews 30 13
Hispanics 27 3
Asian-
3 2
Americans
Arab-
0 1
Americans
Native
1 0
Americans
Women 74 16

23. SENATE
HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES

26. Does CLASS matter?

27. Thinking About Representation:
The Senate

28. 2

29. 100

30. Ratios and Inequities:
Small vs. Large States

31. 17%

32. 135?

33. 10 - 2
15 - 1
25 - 0

34. A Senator for D.C.?

35. National Senators?

36. 10

37. Electoral Districts:
The House of Representatives

38. 435

39. 1000?

40. Reapportionment
The number of seats in the
House of Representatives
allotted to a state changes every
10 years based on changes in
population determined by the
Census.

41. The Power and
Influence of State
Legislatures

42. Sushicircus © 2006 http://www.flickr.com/photos/sushicircus/292399888/

43. Wesberry v. Sanders (1964)
Supreme Court ruled principle of
“one person, one vote” applied to
congressional districts.

44. RESULT: congressional districts
all now approximately the same
size.

45. The Problem of
“Mid-Decade”
Redistricting

46. Gerrymandering
When district boundary lines
are drawn to ensure the
election of a particular party,
group or person.

48. Racial gerrymandering
& “Majority Minority”
districts

49. Incumbency

50. Today’s U.S. Congress is
considered the world’s
foremost example of a
“professional legislature.”

54. R-E-S-P-E-C-T

55. Fenno’s Paradox
Citizens invariably rate their
members of Congress far more
favorably than they rate the
Congress as a whole.

56. Advantages of Incumbency

57. (cc) 2007 Flickr user smenzel
Franking Privilege

58. Travel Budget
(cc) 2006 Flickr user John Wardell (Netinho)

59. +

60. Constituent Service

61. The problem of
“Safe Incumbency”

62. The problem of “Safe Incumbency”
• Competitive vs. Non-competitive
districts.
• This tends to have a negative effect
on democracy in several ways:
– Reduces Congress’ response to political
change, doesn’t normally change
direction that much election to election.
– Even when the American public is
extremely dissatisfied with Congress,
elections generally tend to produce only
a small turnover.
– Weakens public’s influence on Congress
(low accountability).

63. The problem of “Safe Incumbency”
• Competitive vs. Non-competitive
districts.
• This tends to have a negative effect
on democracy in several ways:
– Reduces Congress’ response to political
change, doesn’t normally change
direction that much election to election.
– Even when the American public is
extremely dissatisfied with Congress,
elections generally tend to produce only
a small turnover.
– Weakens public’s influence on Congress
(low accountability).

64. The problem of “Safe Incumbency”
• Competitive vs. Non-competitive
districts.
• This tends to have a negative effect
on democracy in several ways:
– Reduces Congress’ response to political
change, doesn’t normally change
direction that much election to election.
– Even when the American public is
extremely dissatisfied with Congress,
elections generally tend to produce only
a small turnover.
– Weakens public’s influence on Congress
(low accountability).

65. The problem of “Safe Incumbency”
• Competitive vs. Non-competitive
districts.
• This tends to have a negative effect
on democracy in several ways:
– Reduces Congress’ response to political
change, doesn’t normally change
direction that much election to election.
– Even when the American public is
extremely dissatisfied with Congress,
elections generally tend to produce only
a small turnover.
– Weakens public’s influence on Congress
(low accountability).

67. The problem of “Safe Incumbency”
• Competitive vs. Non-competitive
districts.
• This tends to have a negative effect
on democracy in several ways:
– Reduces Congress’ response to political
change, doesn’t normally change
direction that much election to election.
– Even when the American public is
extremely dissatisfied with Congress,
elections generally tend to produce only
a small turnover.
– Weakens public’s influence on Congress
(low accountability).

68. Congressional Leadership

69. House Leadership

70. Speaker of the House
•Right to speak first on legislation
during House debate.
•Power to recognize members (i.e.,
give permission to speak from the
floor).
•Speaker chooses chairperson and
majority-party members of the
Rules Committee (controls
scheduling of bills for debate).

71. Speaker of the House
•Right to speak first on legislation
during House debate.
•Power to recognize members (i.e.,
give permission to speak from the
floor).
•Speaker chooses chairperson and
majority-party members of the
Rules Committee (controls
scheduling of bills for debate).

72. Speaker of the House
•Right to speak first on legislation
during House debate.
•Power to recognize members (i.e.,
give permission to speak from the
floor).
•Speaker chooses chairperson and
majority-party members of the
Rules Committee (controls
scheduling of bills for debate).

73. Speaker of the House
•Assigns bills to committees, places
time limits on reporting of bills
out of committees.
•Assigns members to conference
committees.

74. Speaker of the House
•Assigns bills to committees, places
time limits on reporting of bills
out of committees.
•Assigns members to conference
committees.

75. Majority Leader
• Elected by full membership of the
majority party.
• Responsible for day-to-day
operations, e.g.:
– Scheduling legislation
– Coordinating committee activity
– Putting together coalitions needed
to pass legislation
– Negotiating with outside
institutions.

76. Majority Leader
• Elected by full membership of the
majority party.
• Responsible for day-to-day
operations, e.g.:
– Scheduling legislation
– Coordinating committee activity
– Putting together coalitions needed
to pass legislation
– Negotiating with outside
institutions.

77. Majority Leader
• Elected by full membership of the
majority party.
• Responsible for day-to-day
operations, e.g.:
– Scheduling legislation
– Coordinating committee activity
– Putting together coalitions needed
to pass legislation
– Negotiating with outside
institutions.

78. Majority Leader
• Elected by full membership of the
majority party.
• Responsible for day-to-day
operations, e.g.:
– Scheduling legislation
– Coordinating committee activity
– Putting together coalitions needed
to pass legislation
– Negotiating with outside
institutions.

79. Majority Leader
• Elected by full membership of the
majority party.
• Responsible for day-to-day
operations, e.g.:
– Scheduling legislation
– Coordinating committee activity
– Putting together coalitions needed
to pass legislation
– Negotiating with outside
institutions.

80. Majority Leader
• Plays significant role within the party
by working to prevent minor spats,
internal quarrels from developing
into destructive feuds.

81. Minority Leader
• Elected by full membership of the
minority party, performs similar
role as Majority Leader.
• Heads the party’s caucus and
policy committee.
• Acts as party’s voice in the
chamber.
• Plays a leading role in developing
the party’s policy positions.

82. Minority Leader
• Elected by full membership of the
minority party, performs similar
role as Majority Leader.
• Heads the party’s caucus and
policy committee.
• Acts as party’s voice in the
chamber.
• Plays a leading role in developing
the party’s policy positions.

83. Minority Leader
• Elected by full membership of the
minority party, performs similar
role as Majority Leader.
• Heads the party’s caucus and
policy committee.
• Acts as party’s voice in the
chamber.
• Plays a leading role in developing
the party’s policy positions.

84. Minority Leader
• Elected by full membership of the
minority party, performs similar
role as Majority Leader.
• Heads the party’s caucus and
policy committee.
• Acts as party’s voice in the
chamber.
• Plays a leading role in developing
the party’s policy positions.

85. Whips (Majority & Minority)
• Solicit votes from party
members, inform them when
critical votes are scheduled.
• Whips also perform various other
functions that link the parties’
rank and file to their leaders:
– Explain positions
– Outline Strategies
– Count Votes

86. Whips (Majority & Minority)
• Solicit votes from party
members, inform them when
critical votes are scheduled.
• Whips also perform various other
functions that link the parties’
rank and file to their leaders:
– Explain positions
– Outline Strategies
– Count Votes

87. Whips (Majority & Minority)
• Solicit votes from party
members, inform them when
critical votes are scheduled.
• Whips also perform various other
functions that link the parties’
rank and file to their leaders:
– Explain positions
– Outline Strategies
– Count Votes

88. Whips (Majority & Minority)
• Solicit votes from party
members, inform them when
critical votes are scheduled.
• Whips also perform various other
functions that link the parties’
rank and file to their leaders:
– Explain positions
– Outline Strategies
– Count Votes

89. Whips (Majority & Minority)
• Solicit votes from party
members, inform them when
critical votes are scheduled.
• Whips also perform various other
functions that link the parties’
rank and file to their leaders:
– Explain positions
– Outline Strategies
– Count Votes

90. Whips (Majority & Minority)
• “Third Base Coach”
• Desirable position for people
wanting to rise to the position of
party leader

91. Whips (Majority & Minority)
• “Third Base Coach”
• Desirable position for people
wanting to rise to the position of
party leader

92. Senate Leadership

93. Senate Leadership
• President of the Senate
• President Pro Tempore
• Majority Leader
– Formulates majority party’s policy agenda
– Encourages party members to support this
agenda.
– Chairs the party’s policy committee and
acts as the party’s voice in the Senate.
– Generates “unanimous consent
agreements”.

94. Senate Leadership
• President of the Senate
• President Pro Tempore
• Majority Leader
– Formulates majority party’s policy agenda
– Encourages party members to support this
agenda.
– Chairs the party’s policy committee and
acts as the party’s voice in the Senate.
– Generates “unanimous consent
agreements”.

95. Senate Leadership
• President of the Senate
• President Pro Tempore
• Majority Leader
– Formulates majority party’s policy agenda
– Encourages party members to support this
agenda.
– Chairs the party’s policy committee and
acts as the party’s voice in the Senate.
– Generates “unanimous consent
agreements”.

96. Senate Leadership
• President of the Senate
• President Pro Tempore
• Majority Leader
– Formulates majority party’s policy agenda
– Encourages party members to support this
agenda.
– Chairs the party’s policy committee and
acts as the party’s voice in the Senate.
– Generates “unanimous consent
agreements”.

97. Senate Leadership
• President of the Senate
• President Pro Tempore
• Majority Leader
– Formulates majority party’s policy agenda
– Encourages party members to support this
agenda.
– Chairs the party’s policy committee and
acts as the party’s voice in the Senate.
– Generates “unanimous consent
agreements”.

98. Senate Leadership
• President of the Senate
• President Pro Tempore
• Majority Leader
– Formulates majority party’s policy agenda
– Encourages party members to support this
agenda.
– Chairs the party’s policy committee and
acts as the party’s voice in the Senate.
– Generates “unanimous consent
agreements”.

99. Senate Leadership
• Majority Whip
– Sees to it that members know when
important votes are scheduled.
– Makes sure that their party’s strongest
advocates on a legislative measure are
present for debate when the issue comes
to the floor.
• Minority Leader and Whip
– Fill essentially the same role as their
counterparts in the House.

100. Senate Leadership
• Majority Whip
– Sees to it that members know when
important votes are scheduled.
– Makes sure that their party’s strongest
advocates on a legislative measure are
present for debate when the issue comes
to the floor.
• Minority Leader and Whip
– Fill essentially the same role as their
counterparts in the House.

101. Senate Leadership
• Majority Whip
– Sees to it that members know when
important votes are scheduled.
– Makes sure that their party’s strongest
advocates on a legislative measure are
present for debate when the issue comes
to the floor.
• Minority Leader and Whip
– Fill essentially the same role as their
counterparts in the House.

102. How a Bill Becomes a Law

103. How a Bill Becomes a Law
• Types of Legislation
• Introducing a Bill
• Committee Action
• Floor Action
• Conference Committee
• Presidential Action

104. Types of Legislation
• Bill
– Designated H.R. or S., followed by a
number assigned in the order in which
bills are introduced.
• Joint Resolution
– Designated H.J. Res. Or S.J. Res.
• Concurrent Resolution
– Designated H. Con. Res. Or S. Con. Res.
• Resolution
– Designated H. Res. Or S. Res.

105. Types of Legislation
• Bill
– Designated H.R. or S., followed by a
number assigned in the order in which
bills are introduced.
• Joint Resolution
– Designated H.J. Res. Or S.J. Res.
• Concurrent Resolution
– Designated H. Con. Res. Or S. Con. Res.
• Resolution
– Designated H. Res. Or S. Res.

106. Types of Legislation
• Bill
– Designated H.R. or S., followed by a
number assigned in the order in which
bills are introduced.
• Joint Resolution
– Designated H.J. Res. Or S.J. Res.
• Concurrent Resolution
– Designated H. Con. Res. Or S. Con. Res.
• Resolution
– Designated H. Res. Or S. Res.

107. Types of Legislation
• Bill
– Designated H.R. or S., followed by a
number assigned in the order in which
bills are introduced.
• Joint Resolution
– Designated H.J. Res. Or S.J. Res.
• Concurrent Resolution
– Designated H. Con. Res. Or S. Con. Res.
• Resolution
– Designated H. Res. Or S. Res.

108. Introducing a bill
• Bills may only be introduced by a
member of Congress. (Who writes it is
another matter.)
• Sponsor: lawmaker who introduces a
bill.
• Tax bills MUST be introduced in the
House first, other types may originate
in either house.
• Bills may be introduced
simultaneously in the two chambers
of Congress, or may be introduced at
different times.

109. Introducing a bill
• Bills may only be introduced by a
member of Congress. (Who writes it is
another matter.)
• Sponsor: lawmaker who introduces a
bill.
• Tax bills MUST be introduced in the
House first, other types may originate
in either house.
• Bills may be introduced
simultaneously in the two chambers
of Congress, or may be introduced at
different times.

110. Introducing a bill
• Bills may only be introduced by a
member of Congress. (Who writes it is
another matter.)
• Sponsor: lawmaker who introduces a
bill.
• Tax bills MUST be introduced in the
House first, other types may originate
in either house.
• Bills may be introduced
simultaneously in the two chambers
of Congress, or may be introduced at
different times.

111. Introducing a bill
• Bills may only be introduced by a
member of Congress. (Who writes it is
another matter.)
• Sponsor: lawmaker who introduces a
bill.
• Tax bills MUST be introduced in the
House first, other types may originate
in either house.
• Bills may be introduced
simultaneously in the two chambers
of Congress, or may be introduced at
different times.

112. Introducing a bill
• Bills are introduced differently in
each chamber:
– House – member introduces a bill by
placing it in the hopper.
– Senate – member must announce a
bill after being recognized by the
presiding officer (first reading).
• After introduction, bill given the
designation discussed above.

113. Introducing a bill
• Bills are introduced differently in
each chamber:
– House – member introduces a bill by
placing it in the hopper.
– Senate – member must announce a
bill after being recognized by the
presiding officer (first reading).
• After introduction, bill given the
designation discussed above.

114. Introducing a bill
• Bills are introduced differently in
each chamber:
– House – member introduces a bill by
placing it in the hopper.
– Senate – member must announce a
bill after being recognized by the
presiding officer (first reading).
• After introduction, bill given the
designation discussed above.

115. Introducing a bill
• Bills are introduced differently in
each chamber:
– House – member introduces a bill by
placing it in the hopper.
– Senate – member must announce a
bill after being recognized by the
presiding officer (first reading).
• After introduction, bill given the
designation discussed above.

116. Committee Action
• After introduction, bill referred to
appropriate standing committee.
• Most bills die at this stage. Why?
• Committee Chair passes the bill on to
the appropriate subcommittee.
– Hearings
– Markup
– Subcommittee reports to the full
committee.

117. Committee Action
• After introduction, bill referred to
appropriate standing committee.
• Most bills die at this stage. Why?
• Committee Chair passes the bill on to
the appropriate subcommittee.
– Hearings
– Markup
– Subcommittee reports to the full
committee.

118. Committee Action
• After introduction, bill referred to
appropriate standing committee.
• Most bills die at this stage. Why?
• Committee Chair passes the bill on to
the appropriate subcommittee.
– Hearings
– Markup
– Subcommittee reports to the full
committee.

119. Committee Action
• After introduction, bill referred to
appropriate standing committee.
• Most bills die at this stage. Why?
• Committee Chair passes the bill on to
the appropriate subcommittee.
– Hearings
– Markup
– Subcommittee reports to the full
committee.

120. Committee Action
• After introduction, bill referred to
appropriate standing committee.
• Most bills die at this stage. Why?
• Committee Chair passes the bill on to
the appropriate subcommittee.
– Hearings
– Markup
– Subcommittee reports to the full
committee.

121. Committee Action
• After introduction, bill referred to
appropriate standing committee.
• Most bills die at this stage. Why?
• Committee Chair passes the bill on to
the appropriate subcommittee.
– Hearings
– Markup
– Subcommittee reports to the full
committee.

122. Committee Action
• Final Committee Action
• But what if the bill gets stuck in
committee?
– In both houses of Congress there
are ways to force bills to the floor,
even if committees have not
approved the bill.
– Discharge Petition
– Attach the bill as an amendment to
another bill.

123. Committee Action
• Final Committee Action
• But what if the bill gets stuck in
committee?
– In both houses of Congress there
are ways to force bills to the floor,
even if committees have not
approved the bill.
– Discharge Petition
– Attach the bill as an amendment to
another bill.

124. Committee Action
• Final Committee Action
• But what if the bill gets stuck in
committee?
– In both houses of Congress there
are ways to force bills to the floor,
even if committees have not
approved the bill.
– Discharge Petition
– Attach the bill as an amendment to
another bill.

125. Committee Action
• Final Committee Action
• But what if the bill gets stuck in
committee?
– In both houses of Congress there
are ways to force bills to the floor,
even if committees have not
approved the bill.
– Discharge Petition
– Attach the bill as an amendment to
another bill.

126. Committee Action
• Final Committee Action
• But what if the bill gets stuck in
committee?
– In both houses of Congress there
are ways to force bills to the floor,
even if committees have not
approved the bill.
– Discharge Petition
– Attach the bill as an amendment to
another bill.

127. Committee Action
• SO, bills can be brought to floor
despite committee rejection, but
this is EXTREMELY rare.

128. Floor Action
• After being reported to the parent
chamber by a standing committee, a
bill must be scheduled for floor action.
• Senate – in the Senate this process is
easier, more informal.
– Unrestricted debate and the Senate.
– Filibuster
– Cloture

129. Floor Action
• After being reported to the parent
chamber by a standing committee, a
bill must be scheduled for floor action.
• Senate – in the Senate this process is
easier, more informal.
– Unrestricted debate and the Senate.
– Filibuster
– Cloture

130. Floor Action
• After being reported to the parent
chamber by a standing committee, a
bill must be scheduled for floor action.
• Senate – in the Senate this process is
easier, more informal.
– Unrestricted debate and the Senate.
– Filibuster
– Cloture

132. Floor Action
•House – process much more
complex due to size.
– Uncontroversial, less important bills
can be called up, passed unanimously
with little debate.
– suspension of the rules.

133. Floor Action
•House – process much more
complex due to size.
– Uncontroversial, less important bills
can be called up, passed unanimously
with little debate.
– suspension of the rules.

134. Floor Action
•House – process much more
complex due to size.
– Uncontroversial, less important bills
can be called up, passed unanimously
with little debate.
– suspension of the rules.

135. Floor Action
• Suspension of the Rules
– Upon recognition, committee chair moves
to consider a bill under suspension.
– If a 2/3 majority of those voting agree, the
bill is considered on the floor.
– Debate is limited to 40 minutes (20 pro,
20 con), no amendments considered, and a
2/3 majority needed to pass the
legislation.
– Done Nov. 2, 2005 on H.R. 1606 Online
Freedom of Speech Act.

136. Floor Action
• Suspension of the Rules
– Upon recognition, committee chair moves
to consider a bill under suspension.
– If a 2/3 majority of those voting agree, the
bill is considered on the floor.
– Debate is limited to 40 minutes (20 pro,
20 con), no amendments considered, and a
2/3 majority needed to pass the
legislation.
– Done Nov. 2, 2005 on H.R. 1606 Online
Freedom of Speech Act.

137. Floor Action
• Suspension of the Rules
– Upon recognition, committee chair moves
to consider a bill under suspension.
– If a 2/3 majority of those voting agree, the
bill is considered on the floor.
– Debate is limited to 40 minutes (20 pro,
20 con), no amendments considered, and a
2/3 majority needed to pass the
legislation.
– Done Nov. 2, 2005 on H.R. 1606 Online
Freedom of Speech Act.

138. Floor Action
• Suspension of the Rules
– Upon recognition, committee chair moves
to consider a bill under suspension.
– If a 2/3 majority of those voting agree, the
bill is considered on the floor.
– Debate is limited to 40 minutes (20 pro,
20 con), no amendments considered, and a
2/3 majority needed to pass the
legislation.
– Done Nov. 2, 2005 on H.R. 1606 Online
Freedom of Speech Act.

139. Floor Action
• Rules Committee
– Important legislation (usually
controversial) goes to the Rules
Committee before going to the floor.
– Rules Committee attaches a rule to all bills
which specifies conditions of debate.
– It determines:
•If and/or when it should be sent to the floor
•If and/or how long debate is allowed
•Can bill be amended (open vs. closed rule)

140. Floor Action
• Rules Committee
– Important legislation (usually
controversial) goes to the Rules
Committee before going to the floor.
– Rules Committee attaches a rule to all bills
which specifies conditions of debate.
– It determines:
•If and/or when it should be sent to the floor
•If and/or how long debate is allowed
•Can bill be amended (open vs. closed rule)

141. Floor Action
• Rules Committee
– Important legislation (usually
controversial) goes to the Rules
Committee before going to the floor.
– Rules Committee attaches a rule to all bills
which specifies conditions of debate.
– It determines:
•If and/or when it should be sent to the floor
•If and/or how long debate is allowed
•Can bill be amended (open vs. closed rule)

142. Floor Action
• Rules Committee
– Important legislation (usually
controversial) goes to the Rules
Committee before going to the floor.
– Rules Committee attaches a rule to all bills
which specifies conditions of debate.
– It determines:
•If and/or when it should be sent to the floor
•If and/or how long debate is allowed
•Can bill be amended (open vs. closed rule)

143. Floor Action
• Rules Committee
– Important legislation (usually
controversial) goes to the Rules
Committee before going to the floor.
– Rules Committee attaches a rule to all bills
which specifies conditions of debate.
– It determines:
•If and/or when it should be sent to the floor
•If and/or how long debate is allowed
•Can bill be amended (open vs. closed rule)

144. Floor Action
• Open vs. Closed Rule
– Open Rule – members can propose
amendments relevant to any of the bill’s
sections.
– Closed Rule – only certain sections of the
bill open to amendment, or amendments
not allowed.
• Assuming Rules Committee
recommends a rule, the floor votes on
accepting or rejecting the rule.

145. Floor Action
• Open vs. Closed Rule
– Open Rule – members can propose
amendments relevant to any of the bill’s
sections.
– Closed Rule – only certain sections of the
bill open to amendment, or amendments
not allowed.
• Assuming Rules Committee
recommends a rule, the floor votes on
accepting or rejecting the rule.

146. Floor Action
• Open vs. Closed Rule
– Open Rule – members can propose
amendments relevant to any of the bill’s
sections.
– Closed Rule – only certain sections of the
bill open to amendment, or amendments
not allowed.
• Assuming Rules Committee
recommends a rule, the floor votes on
accepting or rejecting the rule.

147. Floor Action
• Open vs. Closed Rule
– Open Rule – members can propose
amendments relevant to any of the bill’s
sections.
– Closed Rule – only certain sections of the
bill open to amendment, or amendments
not allowed.
• Assuming Rules Committee
recommends a rule, the floor votes on
accepting or rejecting the rule.

148. Floor Action
• If rule is accepted, bill is considered on
the floor by the full chamber.
• After debate on proposal, voting on
amendments, floor decides whether to
adopt the bill.

149. Floor Action
• If rule is accepted, bill is considered on
the floor by the full chamber.
• After debate on proposal, voting on
amendments, floor decides whether to
adopt the bill.

150. Conference Committee
• Conflicting versions must be rewritten
so that a single bill gains the approval
of both houses.
• Bills reported from conference
committee MUST be voted up or down
on the floors of the House and Senate.
No amendments or further changes
allowed.
• Negotiation – theory and practice.

151. Conference Committee
• Conflicting versions must be rewritten
so that a single bill gains the approval
of both houses.
• Bills reported from conference
committee MUST be voted up or down
on the floors of the House and Senate.
No amendments or further changes
allowed.
• Negotiation – theory and practice.

152. Conference Committee
• Conflicting versions must be rewritten
so that a single bill gains the approval
of both houses.
• Bills reported from conference
committee MUST be voted up or down
on the floors of the House and Senate.
No amendments or further changes
allowed.
• Negotiation – theory and practice.

153. Presidential Action
• For a bill to pass it must receive the
support of a simple majority (50% + 1)
of the House or Senate members voting
on it.
• If this standard is met on a bill in the
same form in both houses, it goes on to
the President for his consideration.

154. Presidential Action
• For a bill to pass it must receive the
support of a simple majority (50% + 1)
of the House or Senate members voting
on it.
• If this standard is met on a bill in the
same form in both houses, it goes on to
the President for his consideration.

155. Presidential Action
• There are FOUR (4) possible actions
the president may take:
– Sign the bill and it becomes law.
– Veto the bill and return it to Congress.
– Take no action and the bill will become
law after ten (10) days.
– Pocket Veto – Take no action and if
Congress adjourns within ten (10) days,
the bill dies without his signature.

156. Presidential Action
• There are FOUR (4) possible actions
the president may take:
– Sign the bill and it becomes law.
– Veto the bill and return it to Congress.
– Take no action and the bill will become
law after ten (10) days.
– Pocket Veto – Take no action and if
Congress adjourns within ten (10) days,
the bill dies without his signature.

157. Presidential Action
• There are FOUR (4) possible actions
the president may take:
– Sign the bill and it becomes law.
– Veto the bill and return it to Congress.
– Take no action and the bill will become
law after ten (10) days.
– Pocket Veto – Take no action and if
Congress adjourns within ten (10) days,
the bill dies without his signature.

158. Presidential Action
• There are FOUR (4) possible actions
the president may take:
– Sign the bill and it becomes law.
– Veto the bill and return it to Congress.
– Take no action and the bill will become
law after ten (10) days.
– Pocket Veto – Take no action and if
Congress adjourns within ten (10) days,
the bill dies without his signature.

159. Presidential Action
• There are FOUR (4) possible actions
the president may take:
– Sign the bill and it becomes law.
– Veto the bill and return it to Congress.
– Take no action and the bill will become
law after ten (10) days.
– Pocket Veto – Take no action and if
Congress adjourns within ten (10) days,
the bill dies without his signature.