Committees

1. Standing committee

Four types of committees:

Committee SystemStanding Committeeso Important policy-making bodieso Existing from Congress to

Congresso Paralleling executive agencies

Foreign Affairs Committee - State Department

Intelligence Committee – CIA & othersoHaving power to report legislation

Organization of Congress

1. Standing committee2. Conference committee

Four types of committees:

• Conference Committeeo TemporaryoMembers appointed by Speaker &

Senate presiding officero For reconciling any differences on

legislation once it has been passed by House & Senate

The Committee System

1. Standing committee2. Conference committee3. Joint committee

Four types of committees:

• Joint CommitteeoWith members from both partieso PermanentoNo power to report legislationo Four types of joint committees

Economic Taxation Library printing

Organization of Congress

1. Standing committee2. Conference committee3. Joint committee4. Select committee

Four types of committees:

• Select Committeeo Temporary committeesoNo power to report legislationo Set up to handle specific issues

that fall btwn the jurisdiction of existing committees A special committee for investigating

the Watergate scandal (1973)

Organization of Congress

Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities

House Rules Committee

How a Bill Becomes Law

Some facts: For a bill to become law,

there are many routine hurdles

It is easier for opponents to kill a bill than to pass it

The law-making process is highly political

How a Bill Becomes LawThe Law-making Steps1. Introducing legislation

Who can introduce legislative proposals?

Members of Congress Executive branch Interest groups Constituents

How a Bill Becomes LawThe Law-making Steps2. Assignment to Committee

Bill referred to a committee Most bills assigned to the

appropriate committees Complex bills referred to

several committees Controversial bills are

sometimes handled by temporary or ad hoc committees set up for that purpose

How a Bill Becomes LawThe Law-making Steps2. Assignment to Committee

Often, nothing happens to the bills in committee. Neglect leads to death of many bills

Bills to be acted on are often referred to the appropriate sub-committees.

How a Bill Becomes LawThe Law-making Steps3. Hearing

Once the sub-committee or full committee decides to act, hearings are held participated by: Executive agency representatives Academia Interest groups Other interested persons

In a typical two-year Congress Senate: 1200 hearings House: 2300 hearings

How a Bill Becomes LawThe Law-making Steps4. Reporting a Bill

When a sub-committee decides to act on a bill, it drafts it line by line

It reports it to the full committee The full committee accepts, rejects or

amends the bill.

How a Bill Becomes LawThe Law-making Steps5. Schedule Debate

When a committee agrees to submit a bill to the two houses, it is put on the House & Senate calendar, a list bills for action

Each house has different calendars for different bills In House, non-controversial bills are

put on the Consent Calendar or Private Calendar to be passed without debate

How a Bill Becomes LawThe Law-making Steps5. Schedule Debate

Each house has different calendars for different bills Controversial or important bills are placed

on the Union Calendar or house Calendar. Rules & procedures (length of debate) are requested from the Rules Committee.

Define the following:filibuster, cloture, open rule, closed rule.

How a Bill Becomes LawThe Law-making Steps6. Debate & Amendment

Opponents & proponents have equal debate time

Relevant amendments, if allowed, can be added

Floor debate seldom change views of others

In Senate, debate can last long time In Senate, filibuster can be used Senators can propose amendments

irrelevant to the bill.

How a Bill Becomes Law

The Law-making Steps7. The Vote

How do members vote? What impact their voting behavior? Personal views Opinions of the constituents Advice of knowledgeable & trusted

colleaguesOccasionally, President can win over wavering members of their Party to stick with the team or by cutting deals with pivotal members.

It is important for members to cast an explainable vote, one that is defendable in public when challenged.

How a Bill Becomes LawThe Law-making Steps7. The Vote

How do members vote? What impact their voting behavior?

It is important for members to cast an explainable vote, one that is defendable in public when challenged.

Not every vote has to please the constituents. But, too many “bad” votes are costly and show distance with one’s folks at home.

How a Bill Becomes LawThe Law-making Steps8. In Conference Committee Once passed, a bill is sent to the other

chamber for consideration If the 2nd chamber passes the bill, it is then

sent to the White House for action. But, controversial bills need to go to a

Conference Committee to reconcile the differences in the two versions of the bills

After Conference, details of the bill are reported back to each chamber before sending to the President.

How a Bill Becomes LawThe Law-making Steps7. To the President

Approve the bill into law Ignore it, with the result it becomes law in

10 days (not including weekend & when Congress is still in session)

Veto it (& facing override in Congress) Pocket veto it (if Congress adjourns before

the 10 days are up)When President vetoes a bill, he usually explains why he does so.

How a Bill Becomes LawThe Law-making Steps7. Congressional Override of

VetoA two-thirds majority is required in each

chamber to override the Presidential veto

Terms for comic: (not in correct order)•House Rules Committee•Whips•Mark Up•Standing Committee•Subcommittee•House Floor (Full House)•Conference Committee