Cecily Zamora
Laws are an essential part of any society, providing structure and protecting rights. However, they are not set in stone and can evolve with the needs of the people they serve. In the US, laws can be changed at the local, state, or national level, each with its own process. For instance, a local ordinance on outdoor pet tethering can be altered through a city or town council, while federal laws are changed through Congress. This process involves both the House of Representatives and the Senate, with the President also playing a crucial role in signing bills into law or exercising a veto. With the right support and representation, individuals can play a part in this process, advocating for change through petitions and media attention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can change the law? | Local, state, or national government |
| How to change a law? | Research, tell a story, use images, collect signatures, get media attention, introduce new laws or changes via your elected representatives |
| How is a bill passed? | Bill passes one body of Congress, goes to the other body for research, discussion, changes, and voting; both bodies vote to accept a bill, work out differences, both chambers vote on the same version of the bill, present it to the president for approval or veto |
| How are laws made? | Hearings, subcommittee considers the bill in a "markup" session, views of both sides are studied, vote is taken, bill is reported to the full committee with or without amendment, committee meetings, bills are read for amendment, committee amendments are proposed, recorded votes are taken electronically |
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What You'll Learn
How to get a law changed
US laws can be changed at the local, state, and federal levels. The process of changing a law allows people to actively engage in creating the future they want to see. Here are the steps to get a law changed:
Identify the Type of Law
Firstly, identify whether the law you want to change is a local, state, or national government law. For example, a local ordinance on tethering pets outdoors can be changed through your city or town council. In the US, state laws will need to be changed through your state legislature, while federal laws are changed through Congress.
Research the Law
Do some research on where the law you’re interested in belongs. For example, federal tax-related laws can only be introduced in the House of Representatives. Check out any pending legislation that might cover the same issue or be related to your topic. Research lawmakers and identify your elected representatives who can introduce new laws or changes on your behalf. Remember to also research how a bill becomes a law and how the process is different in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Start a Petition
If you want to change a law, consider starting a petition. Share a personal story that will make people feel emotion and the real impact of the law. This will help you gain support for your cause. Choose a simple, striking image that portrays emotion and avoids text. Use images that you are allowed to distribute, such as those with a creative commons license.
Collect Signatures and Build Momentum
The more signatures you get on your petition, the more likely it is that the government will listen and make the change. Share your petition on social media, local bulletin boards, your local radio station, and other platforms to reach a wider audience. Get media attention to build signatures and momentum for your cause.
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How a bill becomes a law
In the United States, laws can be changed at the local, state, or national level. The process of changing a law, commonly known as the lawmaking process, involves multiple steps and can be initiated by citizens or lawmakers. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how a bill becomes a law at the federal level in the US:
Initiating the Bill
The process of changing a law typically begins with the introduction of a bill. Citizens can play an active role in this step by advocating for the desired change. This can be done through various means, such as sharing personal stories, using compelling images, and gathering signatures through petitions. Elected representatives are often the best ones to introduce new laws or changes on behalf of their constituents. It is essential to identify the lawmakers who represent you and understand their stance on the issue.
Legislative Branch Action
Once a bill is introduced, it goes through the legislative branch, which is divided into two bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill undergoes a process of research, discussion, and debate within each body. This includes considering the impact of the proposed change and deliberating on its potential benefits and drawbacks. The House processes legislation through a majority vote, while the Senate engages in more extensive deliberation and debate before voting.
Reconciliation and Voting
If the bill passes in one body of Congress, it moves to the other body, where it undergoes a similar process. After both bodies have voted to accept the bill, they must reconcile any differences between their two versions. This involves collaboration and negotiation to create a single, unified version of the bill. Once the differences are resolved, both chambers vote on the same version of the bill.
Presidential Consideration
After passing through both bodies of Congress, the bill is presented to the President for consideration. The President has the power to approve or veto the bill. If the President approves, they sign the bill into law. However, if the President refuses to approve it, they can veto the bill.
Veto Override
In the event of a presidential veto, Congress has the power to override it. If both bodies of Congress vote to override the veto, the bill becomes a law despite the President's objection. However, if the President does not sign off on the bill and Congress adjourns before taking action, the bill receives a pocket veto, which cannot be overridden.
It is important to note that the process of changing laws may vary slightly between different levels of government, such as local, state, and federal, and it is always a good idea to research the specific processes and requirements for the particular law or jurisdiction in question.
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The role of Congress
Congress is the lawmaking branch of the federal government in the United States. It plays a crucial role in changing US laws through a well-defined legislative process. The legislative function of Congress is one of the foundations of the American representative system, emphasising the protection of minorities and allowing all sides to be heard and express their views.
The process of changing US laws typically begins with a bill, which is a proposal for a new law or a modification to an existing one. A bill can be introduced by a sitting member of the US Senate or House of Representatives, or it can be proposed during their election campaign. Additionally, bills can be petitioned by citizens or groups who recommend new laws or amendments to their Congressional representative. Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee that researches, discusses, and proposes changes. The bill then goes through a "`markup` session," where the views of both sides are studied, and a vote is taken to determine the subcommittee's action.
After the hearings and markup sessions, the bill is presented to both bodies of Congress, where it undergoes a similar process of research, discussion, and voting. If the bill passes in both bodies, the differences between the two versions are reconciled, and both chambers vote on the same version. If this version passes, it is presented to the President for consideration. The President can approve the bill and sign it into law or choose to veto it. However, Congress has the power to override a presidential veto, and the bill can still become a law.
Congress also has specific powers and responsibilities outlined in the US Constitution. According to Article I, Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes, regulate commerce, establish uniform laws, coin money, provide for the punishment of counterfeiting, promote scientific progress, and more. Additionally, Congress plays a role in presidential elections and the confirmation of the Vice-President. The House of Representatives and the Senate also have distinct functions in cases of impeachment.
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The role of the President
The President of the United States has a significant role to play in the process of changing US laws. While the President does not have the power to create or introduce legislation, they can heavily influence and redirect the nation's political agenda and public policies. The President's role in changing US laws can be summarised as follows:
Proposal and Introduction of Bills
The President does not have the power to propose or introduce bills, which are proposals for new laws or changes to existing laws. Bills can be proposed by sitting members of the US Senate or House of Representatives, or during their election campaigns. They can also be petitioned by citizens or citizen groups who recommend new or amended laws to their Congressional representatives.
Review and Approval of Bills
Once a bill passes both houses of Congress, it is presented to the President for review and approval. The President has the option to approve the bill and sign it into law within ten days of receipt. This is a significant power, as it allows the President to directly influence the creation or amendment of laws.
Veto Power
If the President disagrees with a bill, they can choose to veto it. A veto is a refusal to approve a bill, effectively blocking it from becoming a law. However, in most cases, Congress can override a presidential veto with a subsequent vote, allowing the bill to become law despite the President's objection.
Pocket Veto
If the President does not sign off on a bill and Congress adjourns before the bill is signed, the bill is considered vetoed by default. This is known as a pocket veto, and it cannot be overridden by Congress. This power allows the President to effectively block a bill from becoming law by taking no action, highlighting the importance of the President's role in the law-making process.
Commander-in-Chief
The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the US military and has the power to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy troops on US soil to quell civil turmoils, rebellions, and insurrections. The President can also call upon federal service members of the National Guard and naval militias to enforce federal law, assist in emergencies, or supplement regular forces.
Executive Privilege and Emergency Powers
The President has executive privilege, which allows them to withhold information from the public, Congress, and the courts in matters of national security and diplomatic affairs. Additionally, the President has access to Presidential Emergency Action Documents (PEADs), which grant emergency powers such as the ability to detain "alien enemies," invoke martial law, authorise searches and seizures, and censor news reports. These powers can significantly impact civil liberties and the enforcement of laws during emergencies.
In summary, while the President of the United States does not have the power to directly create or introduce legislation, they play a crucial role in the law-making process through their ability to approve, veto, and influence bills. The President's powers as Commander-in-Chief and their access to executive privilege and emergency powers also contribute to their overall role in shaping and enforcing US laws.
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The role of the House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is a crucial component of the United States Congress, which is the law-making branch of the federal government. The House of Representatives, along with the Senate, forms a bicameral Congress, representing a "Great Compromise" that seeks to balance the interests of the states with the effects of popular majorities.
The House of Representatives plays a vital role in the legislative process, which involves the creation and enactment of laws. One of the unique functions of the House is that it is the only body that can originate revenue legislation. This means that any bills related to taxation or government income must start in the House before progressing to the Senate.
The House of Representatives also has specific calendars dedicated to its business, including the Union Calendar, the House Calendar, the Private Calendar, and the Calendar of Motions to Discharge Committees. These calendars outline the schedule of legislative activities, including the consideration of bills. When a public bill is favorably reported by all committees, it is assigned a calendar number on either the Union Calendar or the House Calendar, indicating its priority.
Additionally, the House of Representatives has the responsibility of presenting charges in impeachment cases, similar to the role of a grand jury. In such cases, the House acts as an investigator, gathering evidence and determining whether there are sufficient grounds for impeachment. If the House votes to impeach, the process moves to the Senate, which then sits as a court to try the impeachment.
Furthermore, the House of Representatives has a role in the confirmation process of certain presidential nominations, such as the Vice-President. According to the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, a vote in the House is required to confirm the President's choice for Vice-President when there is a vacancy. This showcases the House's influence in shaping the executive branch.
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Frequently asked questions
US laws are made through a process of research, discussion, changes, and voting. Once a bill passes one body of Congress, it goes to the other body to go through the same process. After both bodies vote to accept a bill, they must reconcile any differences between the two versions and vote on the same bill. If it passes, it is presented to the president for approval.
Identify the law you want to change and the body that created it. Local laws can be changed through your city or town council, state laws through your state legislature, and federal laws through Congress. You can then petition for the law to be changed, using a personal story and a striking image to gain support.
Share your petition on social media, local bulletin boards, and your local radio station.
You can look up US bills and laws by name, subject, keywords, congressional session, or type of legislation on official .
