4.4 - "I'm Just a Bill"

protect minority rights

why is the legislative process complicated and multi-stepped?

Introduction

the first step of the legislative process - bills are formally introduced in house or senate (revenue = house only) and then it must pass both to be referred - many don’t pass

Referral to Committee

Second Step - the Bill is assigned to one or more committees for consideration (after committee, sent to subcommitee)

Multiple- Referral

referred to multiple committees if large or complex bill

Hearings

used to gather information about the bill (declined inr ecent years because gather info from interest groups)

The Committee Report

the history of the Bill from committee to the floor

Discharge Petition

issued by the house to move a Bill out of an unfriendly commitee and to the floor for a house vote

bypass committees

major bills (like obamacare) can _______

Floor Consideration

Third Step - after gathering info/ successfully passed out of committee, bill goes to the floors of the House and Senate for THE VOTE

House Rules Committee

powerful; determines when a Bill will be debates and voted on in the house floor, how long the debate will last, and whether amendments are allowed in making the decision

Committee of the whole

consists of all members of the house governed by a different set of rules than normal house meetings- used when considering a more complex/ controversial bill

Roll-call vote

house votes mostly electronic; by “yea” “nay” or “present”

Hold

placed on a Bill if a senator objects it (delys the legislation)

Unanimous Consent Agreement

in the senate; sets the terms for consideration of the Bill (ex. limited time, needs unanimous consent, amendments, etc)

Fillibuster

a tactic used where a senator talks and talks to delay a motion

cloture

60 senators must approve to shut down a filibuster (rare)

Hostage-taking

holding up a confirmation of a presidential nominee to extract own interests/ concessions (threaten to do this to get their way)

Reconciliation

the bill is sent to a committee to adjust spending, taxing, or debt limit for resolution

Budget Resolution

total amount of revenue in the year’s budget

Prez

final step - veto or approve