Amending Laws: A Cartoon Guide To The Process

The process of how a bill becomes a law is a complex one, and it's been the subject of a popular 1976 Schoolhouse Rock! segment called I'm Just a Bill, featuring a song by the same name. The song, written by Dave Frishberg, explains how a bill must go through Congress and can be vetoed. The process begins with the introduction of legislation, which can be done by any member. The bill is then assigned a number and sent to the Government Printing Office. It is then referred to the appropriate committee and can be assigned to a subcommittee. After this, the bill goes through committee action, including hearings and a committee vote. If the bill passes this stage, it is sent to the full chamber for a vote. If it passes this vote, it is sent to the other chamber, and if both chambers pass the same bill, it is sent to the President for review. The President can sign the bill into law, or veto it, in which case it is sent back to Congress, which can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. This process is the primary function of Congress as the Legislative Branch of the US government, and it also has authority over financial and budgetary policy.

The Bill of Rights, on the other hand, is the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to individuals, such as freedom of speech, press, and religion, and sets rules for due process of law. It also specifies that the Federal Government only has the powers delegated to it in the Constitution, and all other powers are reserved for the people or the states.

The Bill of Rights

The First Amendment provides several rights protections, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion. It also prevents the government from creating or favouring a religion.

The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms. The Third Amendment prevents the government from forcing homeowners to allow soldiers to use their homes.

The Fourth Amendment bars the government from unreasonable searches and seizures of an individual or their private property. The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for people accused of crimes, including the right to a grand jury, protection against double jeopardy, and protection against self-incrimination.

The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections for people accused of crimes, such as the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and the right to confront witnesses. The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial in Federal civil cases.

The Eighth Amendment bars excessive bail and fines and cruel and unusual punishment. The Ninth Amendment states that listing specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that people do not have other rights that have not been spelled out.

The Tenth Amendment says that the Federal Government only has the powers delegated to it by the Constitution. If a power is not listed, it belongs to the states or to the people.

The First Amendment

Additionally, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech and freedom of the press. It prohibits Congress from restricting the press or abridging the rights of individuals to express their ideas and speak freely. This right to free expression is a cornerstone of democracy, fostering open debate, the exchange of ideas, and a well-informed citizenry.

The right to assemble and petition the government is also guaranteed by the First Amendment. Citizens have the freedom to gather peacefully, protest, and petition their government to address grievances or make changes. This right enables people to collectively express their views, engage in political activism, and hold their government accountable.

The Legislative Process

Committee Action: The Speaker of the House or the presiding officer in the Senate refers the bill to the appropriate committee. Bills may be referred to multiple committees and can be split to send different parts to different committees. The committee may hold hearings and request comments from government agencies. The committee then votes on the bill, and if approved, it is sent back to the chamber with revisions and additions.

Consideration by the Full Chamber: The bill is placed on the calendar and debated by the full chamber. The rules for debate differ between the House and the Senate. In the House, debate is limited by rules formulated in the Rules Committee, while in the Senate, debate is unlimited unless cloture is invoked. Amendments are considered, and the bill is voted on.

Conference Committee: If the House and Senate pass different versions of the bill, a conference committee is formed with members from each chamber to work out the differences. The committee prepares a written report, which must be approved by both chambers.

Presidential Review: The bill is then sent to the President for review. It becomes a law if signed by the President or if not signed within 10 days while Congress is in session. If Congress adjourns before the 10 days and the President hasn't signed, it does not become law ("Pocket Veto"). If the President vetoes the bill, it is sent back to Congress, which can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

The Bill Becomes a Law: Once signed by the President or with a veto overridden, the bill becomes a law and is assigned an official number.

The Schoolhouse Rock Lesson

The bill starts as an idea, which is then written down and submitted to Congress by a legislator. If the bill is approved by a committee, it is voted on by one body of Congress. If it passes this stage, the process repeats in the other body. If the bill makes it through both bodies of Congress, it is sent to the President. The President can choose to sign the bill, in which case it becomes a law, or veto it. If the President vetoes the bill, it is sent back to Congress, which can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses.

Overall, the Schoolhouse Rock Lesson is a great introduction to the topic of law-making in the United States, providing a basic understanding of the process in a memorable and entertaining way.

The Veto

If the President vetoes a bill, Congress can attempt to override the veto by a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. If this occurs, the bill becomes law.

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