Pelosi's Absence: How Bills Become Law Anyway

The legislative process in the United States is a complex and lengthy procedure involving multiple stages and stakeholders. A bill, which is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law, can be introduced by a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, or it can be proposed by citizens through petitions. Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee for review, discussion, and potential amendments. The House of Representatives has over twenty permanent and standing committees, each with specific areas of focus. These committees play a crucial role in shaping legislation and providing a forum for public input. After committee review, a bill is put before the chamber for a vote. If it passes one body of Congress, it moves to the other body, undergoing a similar process of research, discussion, and voting. This process, involving the House and the Senate, can occur without the involvement of Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House.

The legislative process

Once a bill has passed both chambers, the chambers must work together to agree on a single version of the bill. This is because, often, the two chambers will have different versions of the same bill. Once this is done, both chambers vote on the same version of the bill. If it passes, it is presented to the President. The President can approve the bill, in which case it becomes law, or they can veto it. If the bill is vetoed, Congress can attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers. If this occurs, the bill becomes law without the President's signature.

In addition to the above, there are several other ways a law can be enacted. For example, state legislatures may 'memorialize' Congress to enact specified federal laws by passing resolutions to be transmitted to the House and Senate as memorials. Members of the public also have the right to petition, guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, and can transmit their proposals to their representative. Members of Congress can also consult with the Legislative Counsel of the House or the Senate to frame ideas in suitable legislative language. Furthermore, the 'executive communication' has become a prolific source of legislative proposals, in the form of a message or letter from a member of the President's Cabinet, or even the President themselves.

Committees and subcommittees

The House may also establish select committees or task forces to address specific issues. For example, the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. These committees can be created through formal resolutions or informally through the organization of interested members.

In the Senate, introduced measures and House-passed measures are referred to the appropriate committees. A measure may be referred to more than one committee, and membership on these committees is divided between the two major political parties. The proportion of members from each party is determined by the majority party, ensuring a balanced representation.

The House of Representatives maintains four calendars of business: the Union Calendar, the House Calendar, the Private Calendar, and the Calendar of Motions to Discharge Committees. When a public bill receives favourable reports from all the committees to which it was referred, it is assigned a calendar number on either the Union Calendar or the House Calendar. This calendar number is an important indicator of the bill's progress and is included on the first page of the bill.

The work of committees and subcommittees is an essential step in the legislative process, allowing for thorough review, public input, and the necessary amendments to proposed legislation. It is through this process that the foundation for a law's passage is built, ensuring that all relevant considerations have been made before a final decision is reached.

The role of the public

The legislative process is a matter that every person should be well-informed about to understand and appreciate the work of Congress. The public plays a crucial role in this process, which is one of the foundations of the American democratic system.

The public's participation in the legislative process is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, which protects the right to petition. Constituents, either as individuals or through citizen groups, can transmit their proposals to Members of Congress. State legislatures can also 'memorialize' Congress to enact specific federal laws by passing resolutions to be sent to the House and Senate.

The committees in the House and the Senate provide a forum for the public to be heard and offer intensive consideration of proposed measures. There are currently 20 standing committees in the House and 16 in the Senate, as well as several select committees. The public can present their testimony and written comments to the committee members during hearings. The House may also create select committees or task forces to study specific issues and report back to the House.

Additionally, the legislative process in the United States emphasizes protecting the minority and allowing all sides to be heard and express their views. This safeguard ensures that a proposal cannot become a law without consideration and approval by both Houses of Congress, demonstrating the importance of public input and consensus-building in the legislative process.

The public's role in the legislative process extends beyond proposing and discussing measures. They can also bring complaints to the government without fear of repercussions and expect a timely response with useful information. This aspect of accountability ensures that the government is responsive to the people it serves and upholds the principles of justice, opportunity, and peace.

The House of Representatives' calendars

The House of Representatives has four calendars of business: the Union Calendar, the House Calendar, the Private Calendar, and the Calendar of Motions to Discharge Committees. These calendars are compiled in a single publication, printed daily when the House is in session. The publication also includes a history of Senate-passed bills, House bills reported out of committee, and other relevant information. When a public bill is favourably reported by all committees, it is assigned a calendar number on either the Union Calendar or the House Calendar, the two primary calendars of business. The calendar number is printed on the first page of the bill, and sometimes on the back page as well. In the case of a bill referred to multiple committees, the calendar number is printed only on the bill as reported by the last committee.

The legislative process involves intensive consideration of proposed measures and forums for public input. There are 20 standing committees in the House, 16 in the Senate, and several select committees. The House may also create select committees or task forces to study and report on specific issues. Membership in these committees is divided between the two major political parties, with the proportion determined by the majority party.

The role of the President

The President plays a crucial role in the legislative process, which is the primary function of Congress. While the President does not have a direct role in drafting and passing laws through the House of Representatives, they can still influence the process through their executive powers.

Firstly, the President has the power to propose legislation to Congress. The President can transmit messages or letters to Congress, known as "executive communications," outlining their legislative proposals. This is a prolific source of legislative ideas and can initiate the legislative process. Members of the President's Cabinet and heads of independent agencies can also send such communications.

Secondly, once a bill has passed both chambers of Congress and any differences have been reconciled, it is presented to the President for their approval. The President can choose to sign the bill into law or veto it. If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and the Senate.

Additionally, the President's Cabinet members play a role in the legislative process. They can be a source of legislative proposals, and they often appear before congressional committees to provide testimony and answer questions about pending legislation.

It is important to note that while the President has these formal powers, the legislative process is primarily driven by Congress, which has the power to initiate, debate, amend, and pass legislation. The President's role is to either approve or reject the legislation presented to them, with the option to propose their own legislative agenda through executive communications.

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