Understanding The Legislative Process: Bill To Law

Worksheets are a great way to learn about how a bill becomes a law, especially in the United States. This process is complex and lengthy, and it involves many steps and stakeholders. Worksheets can help students understand the intricacies of lawmaking, from the role of elected officials to the jargon used. They can also be used to teach about the differences between public and private bills and the processes at both the federal and state levels. In addition, worksheets can be a fun way to engage students with the topic, such as through readers' theatre, songs, and games.

The role of the committee

The committee plays a crucial part in shaping the bill and ensuring it is ready for further debate and voting. They have the power to make substantial amendments and can even order the introduction of a "clean bill" with proposed amendments, which will have a new number and replace the old bill. The committee can also choose to take no action on a bill, effectively killing it, or they may decide to stop working on it, in which case it is said to have "died in committee".

After the committee has finished its work, it reports the bill back to the House floor, along with a written report explaining their reasons for supporting the bill and their proposed amendments. The committee report is an essential element of the legislative history of a law and is used by the courts, executive departments, and the public as a source of information.

The conference committee

The main task of the Conference Committee is to reconcile the differences between the two versions of the bill. The representatives from each chamber advocate for their version, and the committee works to reach a compromise that can be accepted by both sides. This process involves negotiations and discussions to find common ground and resolve discrepancies.

If the Conference Committee successfully reaches a compromise, it prepares a written conference report detailing the agreed-upon changes and modifications. This report is then submitted back to both the House and the Senate for their approval. The report must be approved by a majority vote in both chambers to proceed further in the legislative process.

Quorum and voting

In the United States Congress, a quorum in the House of Representatives is 218 members, while in the Senate, it is 51 members. The presence of a quorum is important for conducting official business and voting on bills.

Once a quorum is established, the next step is voting. There are different methods for voting on a bill, including:

• Viva Voce (voice vote): The Speaker of the House asks those who support the bill to say "aye" and those who oppose it to say "no."
• Division: The Speaker of the House requests those in support of the bill to stand up and be counted, and then asks those who oppose it to do the same.
• Recorded: Representatives record their votes electronically, selecting yes, no, or present if they choose not to vote.
• Roll Call: The clerk calls each member by name, and they call out their vote ("yea" or "nay") when their name is called.

If a majority of members vote in favor of the bill, it passes in that chamber and moves on to the next step in the legislative process. It is important to note that the voting methods and requirements may vary depending on the legislative body and the specific rules and procedures they follow.

What is a model bill?

A model bill, also called a model act, model law, or model legislation, is a proposed version of a bill. It is meant to guide lawmakers as they draft the bill that will be introduced to a legislative body for voting. In other words, it is a template for a bill that lawmakers can use as a starting point when creating new legislation.

The process of creating a law usually begins with an idea, which can come from a Representative or a citizen. A Representative then takes this idea and drafts it into a bill. The bill is then introduced to the House of Representatives, where it is assigned to a committee for review, research, and potential revision. If the committee approves the bill, it is sent back to the House floor for debate and a vote. If the bill passes in the House, it moves on to the Senate, where it goes through a similar process. If it passes in the Senate as well, it is then sent to the President for approval.

Model bills are an important part of the legislative process as they provide a framework for lawmakers to work from, helping to streamline the process of drafting and introducing bills. They are also useful for citizens who want to propose ideas for new laws, as they can use a model bill as a guide to ensure their idea is presented in a clear and effective way.

What is a veto?

A veto is a legal power to unilaterally stop an official action, most typically by a president or monarch, to prevent a bill from becoming law. The word "veto" comes from the Latin for "I forbid". The concept of a veto originated with the Roman offices of consul and tribune of the plebs. In many countries, veto powers are established in the country's constitution and are also found at other levels of government, such as state, provincial, or local government, and in international bodies.

The veto power is defined in Article 1, Section 7 of the US Constitution. When a president vetoes a bill, it is returned to the chamber of Congress that originated it, along with the president's objections, and the body debates it again. This is called a "regular" veto. The veto may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress. If the president does not veto or sign a bill within 10 days (excluding Sundays), it becomes a law. However, if Congress has adjourned before the 10 days are up, the legislation does not become law, and the president can exercise a ""pocket veto", where they do not return the bill to Congress but simply take no action.

In some cases, a supermajority vote can override a veto. For example, in the United States, a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate can override a presidential veto. However, some vetoes are absolute and cannot be overridden, such as the veto power held by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) over any Security Council resolution.

The executive power to veto legislation is one of the main tools that the executive branch has in the legislative process. It is commonly found in presidential and semi-presidential systems, and it serves as a check on the power of the government or a specific branch of government, usually the legislative branch.

Frequently asked questions