Congress: Passing a Bill

First Reading

• The bill is introduced in either chamber by a Representative or a Senator

• Money Bills can only start in the House of Representatives

• In the first reading the name of the bill is read out and a quick vote is taken to see if it will proceed

The Committee Stage

• After first reading, the bill will be allocated to a committee

• Once allocated, it is the choice of the committee which bills they choose to hear, if its not chosen this is called pigeonholing

• If it is chosen, there will be hearings and investigations

• The bill will then proceed to be ‘marked up’ where amendments are added

• Many bills will die here even after being marked up

Timetabling

• House of Rep: Bills are given to the House Rules Committee which will decide whether or not the bill will make it to the flor, how long they will be debated for, an how many amendments can be added

• Senate: Bills are agreed through unanimous consent agreements. This means that the senate leadership will agree on which bills make it to the floor

• If a bill is scheduled in one house and not the other the bill will die

Second Reading

• In both chambers, the bill will be debated and where allowed, amendments added. In this stage the bill may be filibustered in the senate. All debates are followed by a vote.

Third Reading

• This is the final opportunity to debate the bill before a final vote. The debate will tend to be small and non-controversial

Reconciling

• Since the bills have been passed through congress concurrently, it will result in two different versions of the bill

• A conference committee with come together to make a single bill, happening with about 10% of bills

• There then must be a vote for it to be sent onwards

Presidential Action

• The president has three options: Sign into law, left on desk (pocket veto) or vetoed