bell ringer!!! take the new vocabulary packet off of the pick up shelf. take the new vocabulary...

Bell Ringer!!!Bell Ringer!!!

Take the new vocabulary packet off Take the new vocabulary packet off of the pick up shelf.of the pick up shelf.

You will have the first mod to You will have the first mod to complete as much as possible.complete as much as possible.

Notice the due date at the top of the Notice the due date at the top of the packet……??????packet……??????

The Legislative Branch - The Legislative Branch - CongressCongress

Qualifications of CongressQualifications of Congress

HouseHouse1.1. Must be 25 years oldMust be 25 years old

2.2. Be a citizen for at Be a citizen for at least 7 yearsleast 7 years

3.3. Be a resident of the Be a resident of the state you wish to state you wish to representrepresent

• Members of the Members of the House of Reps are House of Reps are closer to the closer to the American peopleAmerican people

SenateSenate1.1. Must be 30 years oldMust be 30 years old

2.2. Be a citizen for at least Be a citizen for at least 9 years9 years

3.3. Must be a resident of Must be a resident of the state that you wish the state that you wish to representto represent

• Members of the Senate Members of the Senate are more removed are more removed from the American from the American peoplepeople

Formal Qualifications: Written into the Constitution, must be met to hold office

Makeup of CongressMakeup of Congress

Nearly all members of Congress are Nearly all members of Congress are college graduatescollege graduates

Nearly half are lawyersNearly half are lawyers

Typically much more active in their Typically much more active in their communities than otherscommunities than others

Typically represent the Democrats or Typically represent the Democrats or RepublicansRepublicans

Demographic Profile of the 112th CongressDemographic Profile of the 112th Congress

Source: Source: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/demographics.tthttp://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/demographics.tt

http://www.census.gov/

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8%

2% <1%

85%

5%

Ethnicity

% in Office

Male Female

83%

17%

Gender

% in Office

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/demographics.tt

http://www.census.gov/

Pay & BenefitsPay & Benefits Members of the House & Senate make Members of the House & Senate make

$174,000 per year, plus…$174,000 per year, plus…

Congressional Leadership: $193,400Congressional Leadership: $193,400

Speaker of the House : $223,500Speaker of the House : $223,500 Free office spaceFree office space ParkingParking Trips back to their home state/districtTrips back to their home state/district Franking Privilege: free mailingFranking Privilege: free mailing On-site clinic, and gymOn-site clinic, and gym Legal protection/immunity in certain situationsLegal protection/immunity in certain situations

Behind the ScenesBehind the Scenes

Members of Congress get staff at Members of Congress get staff at offices in both Washington D.C. and offices in both Washington D.C. and in their home state/districtin their home state/district

Staff does research on bills/issuesStaff does research on bills/issues Handle requests from voters & mediaHandle requests from voters & media Interns also used to do certain jobsInterns also used to do certain jobs

Committee Staff: Each committee has Committee Staff: Each committee has staff members to draft/outline bills and staff members to draft/outline bills and gather infogather info

Why Bicameral?Why Bicameral? Bicameral Legislature: Bicameral Legislature:

Congress consists of 2 distinct groupsCongress consists of 2 distinct groups The The House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

(based on population(based on population The The Senate Senate (equally represented)(equally represented)

reasons for a bicameral system:reasons for a bicameral system:1.1. To make both To make both large and small states large and small states

happyhappy

2.2. To act as a To act as a CheckCheck on each others power on each others power To make sure that laws passed are truly in the To make sure that laws passed are truly in the

best interest of the peoplebest interest of the people

Terms vs. SessionsTerms vs. Sessions Each Each TermTerm of Congress lasts for of Congress lasts for 2 2 years, and years, and

begins at noon on the 3begins at noon on the 3rdrd day of day of JanuaryJanuary

The 113The 113thth Congress assembled Jan. 2013 & term will Congress assembled Jan. 2013 & term will end Jan. 2015end Jan. 2015

2020thth Amendment changed term start from March to Amendment changed term start from March to JanuaryJanuary

Sessions: Sessions: When Congress meets to conduct When Congress meets to conduct business (1 year)business (1 year)

Used to last only a few months, now commonly go Used to last only a few months, now commonly go year-roundyear-round

At the end of each session, Congress will At the end of each session, Congress will Adjourn Adjourn (end)(end) for the year for the year

Congress takes several smaller breaks called Congress takes several smaller breaks called Recesses (off time) Recesses (off time) throughout the yearthroughout the year

House of Representatives: House of Representatives: Has Has 435435 members members

This number is fixed and does not change This number is fixed and does not change unless CONGRESS votes to change itunless CONGRESS votes to change it

Census: population count done every Census: population count done every 10 years10 years

ApportionmentApportionment: Deciding how many : Deciding how many representatives each state getsrepresentatives each state gets

ReapportionmentReapportionment: : Changing/redistributing the number of Changing/redistributing the number of representatives from each staterepresentatives from each state

Reapportionment happens every Reapportionment happens every 1010 years after a years after a CensusCensus is taken is taken

Apportionment: How big a Apportionment: How big a slice of the pie does each slice of the pie does each

district get?district get?

Reapportionment: Every 10 Reapportionment: Every 10 years, the size of slices years, the size of slices

changes based on the Census changes based on the Census results (Some states gain results (Some states gain

while others lose reps)while others lose reps)

Each state is broken down into Each state is broken down into smaller sections called Districts smaller sections called Districts (for House of Reps)(for House of Reps)

Each district gets Each district gets ONEONE representative in Congressrepresentative in Congress

Constituents:Constituents: The people The people represented by a member of represented by a member of CongressCongress

Drawing political districts to gain Drawing political districts to gain an advantage for one political an advantage for one political party or to minimize the power of party or to minimize the power of a group is referred to as: a group is referred to as:

GERRYMANDERINGGERRYMANDERING

Districts supposed to be “compact Districts supposed to be “compact territory”territory”

Supposed to be nearly equal in peopleSupposed to be nearly equal in people

Source: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/09/14/gop-plan-for-new-districts-draws-fire.html

Ohio 2013 Congressional District Map

The SenateThe Senate

In the Senate, each state receives 2 In the Senate, each state receives 2 members, regardless of populationmembers, regardless of population

Each Senator represents the entire Each Senator represents the entire state & serves for 6 yearsstate & serves for 6 years

Party PoliticsParty Politics

Democrats Republicans

Majority vs. MinorityMajority vs. MinorityThe organization of Congress depends The organization of Congress depends

heavily on political partiesheavily on political parties

Majority PartyMajority Party: The party that has more : The party that has more members in either the House or Senatemembers in either the House or Senate

Minority Party:Minority Party: The party with fewer The party with fewer

members in the House or Senatemembers in the House or Senate

Currently Currently RepublicansRepublicans hold majority in House & hold majority in House & DemocratsDemocrats in the Senate in the Senate

This status can change every This status can change every Two yearsTwo years (elections) (elections)

The Speaker of the HouseThe Speaker of the House

Chosen by majority partyChosen by majority party

Chief presiding officer Chief presiding officer (constitutionally) of the (constitutionally) of the HouseHouse

Decides whom to recognize Decides whom to recognize to speak on the floorto speak on the floor

Decides to which committee Decides to which committee bills gobills go

Decides when bills will be Decides when bills will be voted onvoted on

Major influence on assigning Major influence on assigning members of the House to members of the House to committeescommittees John Boehner (R-Ohio 8th)

House Majority LeaderHouse Majority Leader Floor leader for the Floor leader for the

majority partymajority party Manages day-to-day Manages day-to-day

issues for House issues for House majoritymajority

Lead strategist for Lead strategist for that partythat party Set strategies/positions Set strategies/positions

of the majority party of the majority party on issueson issues

Chosen by members Chosen by members of own partyof own party Eric Cantor (R-Virginia 7th)

House Minority LeaderHouse Minority Leader

Floor leader for the Floor leader for the minority partyminority party Manages day-to-day Manages day-to-day

issues for House issues for House minorityminority

Lead strategist for that Lead strategist for that partyparty Set strategies/positions Set strategies/positions

of the minority party on of the minority party on issuesissues

Nancy Pelosi (D-California 8th)

President of the SenatePresident of the Senate Always held by Vice Always held by Vice

President of the U.S., the President of the U.S., the senate does not get to senate does not get to choosechoose

Largely ceremonial Largely ceremonial position, can act as position, can act as Presiding Officer, rarely Presiding Officer, rarely doesdoes

Vice Pres. Is NOT a actual Vice Pres. Is NOT a actual member of the Senatemember of the Senate

Major responsibility is to Major responsibility is to vote to break a tie in the vote to break a tie in the SenateSenate Not able to speak or debate Not able to speak or debate

on a billon a billJoe Biden (Vice President of U.S.)

President Pro-Tempore President Pro-Tempore (Senate) (Senate)

Usually the longest-Usually the longest-serving member of the serving member of the majority party (chosen by majority party (chosen by the Senate)the Senate)

Can preside over day-to-Can preside over day-to-day running of the Senateday running of the Senate

Behind the Speaker of the Behind the Speaker of the House in Presidential House in Presidential Succession lineSuccession line

Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont)

Senate Majority LeaderSenate Majority Leader Chosen by majority partyChosen by majority party

Majority party leader in Majority party leader in SenateSenate

Guides party’s bills through Guides party’s bills through SenateSenate

Plans Senate’s work Plans Senate’s work schedule in consultation schedule in consultation with Minority Leaderwith Minority Leader

Makes sure majority Makes sure majority members attend important members attend important sessionssessions Harry Reid (D-Nevada)

Senate Minority LeaderSenate Minority Leader Chosen by minority partyChosen by minority party

Minority party leader in Minority party leader in SenateSenate

Develops criticisms of bills Develops criticisms of bills from majority partyfrom majority party

Consults with Majority Leader Consults with Majority Leader re: Senate’s work schedule re: Senate’s work schedule

Tries to keep members Tries to keep members working togetherworking together

Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky)

3 Major Jobs of Congress3 Major Jobs of Congress1.1. Lawmaking: Lawmaking: Members of the House Members of the House

and Senate are free to introduce bills and Senate are free to introduce bills (proposed laws)(proposed laws)

2.2. Casework:Casework: Members of Congress get Members of Congress get many requests from constituents.many requests from constituents.

Staff members handle many requests for help Staff members handle many requests for help and information on issuesand information on issues

Casework/helping Constituents can help re-Casework/helping Constituents can help re-election and supportelection and support

Helping the DistrictHelping the District

Public works – Congress appropriates Public works – Congress appropriates billions of dollars for local projects. (post billions of dollars for local projects. (post offices, military bases, dams, mass transit)offices, military bases, dams, mass transit)

Grants and Contracts – Try to make sure Grants and Contracts – Try to make sure their state/district get their fair share of their state/district get their fair share of federal grants and contracts.federal grants and contracts. Pork Barrel projectsPork Barrel projects

Using influence – try to influence Federal Using influence – try to influence Federal agencies that are dividing up grants.agencies that are dividing up grants.

6.1 How Congress is 6.1 How Congress is OrganizedOrganized

GOAL: to explain how committees in GOAL: to explain how committees in Congress are organized and what role Congress are organized and what role they play in the lawmaking processthey play in the lawmaking process

Why Committees?Why Committees? In the course of one congressional session In the course of one congressional session

the senate and house of reps will consider the senate and house of reps will consider thousands of bills (proposed laws). thousands of bills (proposed laws). Dealing with this amount would be Dealing with this amount would be impossible without committees. impossible without committees.


What Work is Being Accomplished?What Work is Being Accomplished?

1.1. Bills get filtered to the correct Bills get filtered to the correct committeecommittee

2.2. The committee gets it to the correct The committee gets it to the correct sub-committee (if there is one) to be sub-committee (if there is one) to be looked over.looked over. ◦ Both parties are represented in the Both parties are represented in the

committeecommittee◦ they can debate the bill and make they can debate the bill and make

recommended amendments (changes)recommended amendments (changes)


Standing Committees = Permanent Standing Committees = Permanent ◦ House of Reps (not all listed)House of Reps (not all listed)

Armed Services, Budget, Education and Labor, Armed Services, Budget, Education and Labor, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Natural Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Natural Resources, Science and Technology, Small Resources, Science and Technology, Small Business, Transportation and InfrastructureBusiness, Transportation and Infrastructure

◦ Senate (not all listed)Senate (not all listed) Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Banking, Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Banking,

Housing and Urban Affairs, Energy and Housing and Urban Affairs, Energy and Natural Resources, Environment and Public Natural Resources, Environment and Public WorksWorks

◦ ConcurrentConcurrent Agriculture, Commerce, Veterans AffairsAgriculture, Commerce, Veterans Affairs


Select Committees: TemporarySelect Committees: Temporary Deals with Special IssuesDeals with Special Issues Meet for a limited time until they Meet for a limited time until they

complete the assigned taskcomplete the assigned task EX: Global Warming, Aging, Ethics, EX: Global Warming, Aging, Ethics,


Joint Committees: Joint Committees: House + House + SenateSenate Consider Specific IssuesConsider Specific Issues EX: TaxationEX: Taxation

+

Where to Sit Today…


Committee AssignmentsCommittee Assignments◦ When senators and representatives When senators and representatives

first come to Congress they try to first come to Congress they try to get assigned to important get assigned to important committees that affect people who committees that affect people who elected themelected them Ex) Rep from rural farm-town might want Ex) Rep from rural farm-town might want

to serve on the agriculture committee b/c to serve on the agriculture committee b/c influence policy influence policy


Chairperson: the longest serving Chairperson: the longest serving committee member from the committee member from the majority partymajority party Chairpersons decide when and if a Chairpersons decide when and if a

committee will meet, what bills will committee will meet, what bills will be addressed, and who will serve on be addressed, and who will serve on subcommitteessubcommittees

This is part of the seniority systemThis is part of the seniority system Some like it b/c of experience other say Some like it b/c of experience other say

talented members get overlookedtalented members get overlooked

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Legislative (lawmaking) Powers: Legislative (lawmaking) Powers:

ExpressedExpressed Most of Congress expressed powers Most of Congress expressed powers

are listed in the Constitution Article I are listed in the Constitution Article I Section 8Section 8

EX) Congress shall have the Power to Coin EX) Congress shall have the Power to Coin MoneyMoney

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Legislative (lawmaking) Powers: Legislative (lawmaking) Powers:

ImpliedImplied The grey area in-between. Not The grey area in-between. Not

specifically writtenspecifically written Article I Section 8 Clause 18: Article I Section 8 Clause 18:

Congress shall have the Power to do Congress shall have the Power to do whatever is “necessary and proper” whatever is “necessary and proper” to carry out the expressed powers. to carry out the expressed powers.

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Legislative Powers: Elastic ClauseLegislative Powers: Elastic Clause

Clause 18 gets this title b/c Clause 18 gets this title b/c Congress STRETCHES like a rubber Congress STRETCHES like a rubber band its Powers to meet new needs band its Powers to meet new needs as they arise to our nation. as they arise to our nation.

EX) Air Force not in the Constitution EX) Air Force not in the Constitution b/c airplanes didn’t exist but b/c airplanes didn’t exist but Congress supports it under the Congress supports it under the Expressed Power to support armies Expressed Power to support armies

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Money PowersMoney Powers

ExpressedExpressed Taxes to provide for the defense and Taxes to provide for the defense and

general welfare of the USgeneral welfare of the US Borrow $$$Borrow $$$ Establish Bankruptcy LawsEstablish Bankruptcy Laws Coin, Print, and Regulate MoneyCoin, Print, and Regulate Money Punish CounterfeitersPunish Counterfeiters

ImpliedImplied Taxes to support welfare programsTaxes to support welfare programs Borrowing $ implies powerBorrowing $ implies power

to create Fed Reserveto create Fed Reserve

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Commerce PowersCommerce Powers

ExpressedExpressed Regulate Foreign and Interstate Regulate Foreign and Interstate

(between states)(between states) ImpliedImplied

Power to prohibit discrimination in Power to prohibit discrimination in restaurants, hotels and other public restaurants, hotels and other public accommodationsaccommodations

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Military and Foreign PolicyMilitary and Foreign Policy

ExpressedExpressed Declare War Declare War Raise, Support and Regulate and army Raise, Support and Regulate and army

and navyand navy Provide, Regulate and Call into service Provide, Regulate and Call into service

militia (National Guard)militia (National Guard) ImpliedImplied

DraftDraft

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress

Other Legislative PowersOther Legislative Powers ExpressedExpressed

Establish laws of NaturalizationEstablish laws of Naturalization Post OfficesPost Offices Grant copyrights and patentsGrant copyrights and patents Necessary and ProperNecessary and Proper

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Non-Legislative (non-lawmaking) Non-Legislative (non-lawmaking)

Powers: Checks and BalancesPowers: Checks and Balances Make sure the Executive and Judicial Make sure the Executive and Judicial

Branch are doing the jobs outline to Branch are doing the jobs outline to them by the Constitution and are them by the Constitution and are not wielding too much power. not wielding too much power.

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Non-Legislative Powers: Non-Legislative Powers:

Appointment Appointment Senate has the power to reject or Senate has the power to reject or

approve the President’s nominees approve the President’s nominees for various officesfor various offices

Supreme Court Justices, Federal Judges, Supreme Court Justices, Federal Judges, AmbassadorsAmbassadors

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Non-Legislative Powers: Impeachment Non-Legislative Powers: Impeachment

Constitution allows Congress to remove Constitution allows Congress to remove any federal official who has committed any federal official who has committed serious wrongdoingserious wrongdoing

The HOUSE of REPS has the sole The HOUSE of REPS has the sole authority to impeach: accuse officials of authority to impeach: accuse officials of misconductmisconduct

If a majority votes to impeach the Senate has If a majority votes to impeach the Senate has the power to hold a trial and act as jury to the power to hold a trial and act as jury to decide decide

2/3 vote needed 2/3 vote needed Nobody has been removed from officeNobody has been removed from office This is mostly used for Federal Judges- This is mostly used for Federal Judges-

scandals…..scandals…..

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Power Limitations Power Limitations

Constitution says what Congress Constitution says what Congress CANNOT do as well CANNOT do as well

Bill of RightsBill of Rights Not pass a bill that limits free speechNot pass a bill that limits free speech

Tax interstate commerceTax interstate commerce Tax exportsTax exports Not pass laws that would interfere Not pass laws that would interfere

with individuals legal rights with individuals legal rights

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Power Limitations: Writ of Habeas Power Limitations: Writ of Habeas

Corpus Corpus Congress CANNOT suspend thisCongress CANNOT suspend this WHC: court order that requires WHC: court order that requires

police to bring a prisoner to court to police to bring a prisoner to court to explain WHY they are holding a explain WHY they are holding a person person

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Power Limitations: Bill of Power Limitations: Bill of

Attainder Attainder Congress is BANNED from passingCongress is BANNED from passing BoA: laws that punish a person BoA: laws that punish a person

without a jury trialwithout a jury trial

6.2 Powers of Congress6.2 Powers of Congress Power Limitations: Ex Post Facto Power Limitations: Ex Post Facto

LawsLaws Congress may NOT passCongress may NOT pass EPFL: laws that make an act a crime EPFL: laws that make an act a crime

after the act has been committed after the act has been committed

6.4 How a Bill Becomes a 6.4 How a Bill Becomes a LawLaw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-eYBZFEzf8




Bill Created Bill Created Standing Committee Considers Bill Standing Committee Considers Bill Full House/Senate Debate BillFull House/Senate Debate Bill Passed Bill Sent to other House Passed Bill Sent to other House Bill Passed by Both gets Sent to Bill Passed by Both gets Sent to

President President If signed Becomes Law If signed Becomes Law

More than 10,000 bills introduced More than 10,000 bills introduced each term but only a few hundred each term but only a few hundred become lawbecome law


Types of BillsTypes of Bills Private BillsPrivate Bills

Concern individual people or placesConcern individual people or places

Public Bills (most that are passed)Public Bills (most that are passed) Apply to the entire nation Apply to the entire nation Involve general matters like taxationInvolve general matters like taxation


ResolutionsResolutions Formal statements expressing Formal statements expressing

lawmakers’ opinionslawmakers’ opinions Most do NOT have the force of lawMost do NOT have the force of law

Joint ResolutionJoint Resolution Passed by both House/Senate do Passed by both House/Senate do

become law if signed by President become law if signed by President Constitutional Amendments or an Constitutional Amendments or an

authorization to use military force authorization to use military force (Ex. Iraq)(Ex. Iraq)


Where Does a Bill Come From?Where Does a Bill Come From? Private CitizensPrivate Citizens White HouseWhite House Special Interest GroupsSpecial Interest Groups

NRA, PETA, Amnesty International NRA, PETA, Amnesty International Member of House or Senate MUST Member of House or Senate MUST

introduce a bill before Congress will introduce a bill before Congress will even consider it (sponsor)even consider it (sponsor)

Every Bill is given a title and number Every Bill is given a title and number S. 103S. 103 H.R. 39 H.R. 39


Committee ActionCommittee Action After a bill is introduced it goes to a After a bill is introduced it goes to a

standing committee that is related standing committee that is related to the subject of the billto the subject of the bill

Committees willCommittees will Pass the billPass the bill Mark up a billMark up a bill Ignore the bill and let it dieIgnore the bill and let it die Kill the bill outright with a majority voteKill the bill outright with a majority vote Replace the original Bill with a new BillReplace the original Bill with a new Bill


Debating a BillDebating a Bill Bills approved in committees are ready Bills approved in committees are ready

for consideration by the full House or for consideration by the full House or SenateSenate

When the bill reaches the “floor” When the bill reaches the “floor” members debate the “pros” and “cons” members debate the “pros” and “cons” and discuss amendments (changes) and discuss amendments (changes)

House only allows amendments relevant to House only allows amendments relevant to the billthe bill

Senate accepts riders- completely unrelated Senate accepts riders- completely unrelated amendments to be tacked onamendments to be tacked on


Rules of DebateRules of Debate In the House the Rules Committee In the House the Rules Committee

sets terms for debatesets terms for debate Time limitsTime limits

Senate can speak for as long as Senate can speak for as long as they wishthey wish

Filibuster: talk a bill to death so a Filibuster: talk a bill to death so a sponsor will withdrawsponsor will withdraw

Senate can end filibuster if 3/5 Senate can end filibuster if 3/5 members vote for cloture (no one may members vote for cloture (no one may speak for more than 1 hour)speak for more than 1 hour)


Voting on a BillVoting on a Bill After a bill is debated it gets voted onAfter a bill is debated it gets voted on House:House:

Voice Vote say “Aye” then “No” Voice Vote say “Aye” then “No” Standing Vote- rise for yes then for noStanding Vote- rise for yes then for no Recorded Vote- electronically Recorded Vote- electronically

Senate:Senate: Standing VoteStanding Vote Voice Vote “Yea” or “No” (used to Voice Vote “Yea” or “No” (used to

confirm voice vote)confirm voice vote) Roll-Call Vote – each Senator asked Roll-Call Vote – each Senator asked

“yea” or “nay”“yea” or “nay” These votes are recordedThese votes are recorded


Voting on a BillVoting on a Bill A simple majority is needed to passA simple majority is needed to pass If passed in the House goes to the SenateIf passed in the House goes to the Senate If passed in the Senate goes to the HouseIf passed in the Senate goes to the House If either house rejects once its sent the If either house rejects once its sent the

bill diesbill dies Bill has to be passed by both houses in Bill has to be passed by both houses in

IDENTICAL form before is goes to the IDENTICAL form before is goes to the PresidentPresident

When 2 versions of the same bill are passed a When 2 versions of the same bill are passed a Conference Committee is established to create Conference Committee is established to create ONE version of the billONE version of the bill


Voting on a BillVoting on a Bill After an identical bill is approved by After an identical bill is approved by

both houses it goes to the President both houses it goes to the President President may:President may:

Pass – Sign into lawPass – Sign into law Veto- refuse to signVeto- refuse to sign

Congress can overturn a veto if both houses Congress can overturn a veto if both houses 2/3 vote to do so.2/3 vote to do so.

1789-2008 only overturned 108 vetoes1789-2008 only overturned 108 vetoes Do nothing for 10 daysDo nothing for 10 days

If Congress is in session it automatically If Congress is in session it automatically becomes a lawbecomes a law

If Congress is not in session (adjourned) the If Congress is not in session (adjourned) the bill dies….sad face. This is called a pocket bill dies….sad face. This is called a pocket veto. veto.


Senate StepsSenate Steps 1. Senator announces bill on floor1. Senator announces bill on floor 2. Bill given S number2. Bill given S number 3. Referred to Standing Committee3. Referred to Standing Committee 4. Referred to Sub-Committee4. Referred to Sub-Committee 5. Reported by Standing Committee5. Reported by Standing Committee 6. Full Senate Debate and Vote6. Full Senate Debate and Vote 7. If passes goes to House7. If passes goes to House


House StepsHouse Steps◦ 1. Representative hands bill to clerk 1. Representative hands bill to clerk

who drops in hopperwho drops in hopper◦ 2. Bill given HR number2. Bill given HR number◦ 3. Referred to Standing Committee3. Referred to Standing Committee◦ 4. Referred to Sub-Committee4. Referred to Sub-Committee◦ 5. Reported by Standing Committee5. Reported by Standing Committee◦ 6. Rules Committee sets rules for 6. Rules Committee sets rules for

debate and amendmentsdebate and amendments◦ 7. Full House Debate and Votes 7. Full House Debate and Votes ◦ 8. If passes and goes to Senate 8. If passes and goes to Senate


Conference ActionConference Action If House and Senate pass different If House and Senate pass different

versions of the bill it goes to versions of the bill it goes to conference committeeconference committee

CC works out differences and sends CC works out differences and sends identical compromised bill to both identical compromised bill to both chambers for final approval chambers for final approval

House and Senate vote on House and Senate vote on compromise billcompromise bill

If passes both goes to President to If passes both goes to President to signsign

bell ringer!!! take the new vocabulary packet off of the pick up shelf. take the new vocabulary...

Documents

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scenes members of congress

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