The Journey Of A Bill To Law Exhibit

The process of a bill becoming a law is a complex one, and it differs slightly between countries. In the US, the primary function of Congress, as the Legislative Branch of the government, is to create and modify laws. In this process, any member can introduce a piece of legislation, which is then sent to the Government Printing Office (GPO) and assigned a number. The bill is then referred to the appropriate committee, which can make revisions and additions. The bill is then placed on the Calendar and goes through a series of readings and votes before being sent to the other chamber. If the bill passes in both chambers, it is sent to the President for review. The President can sign the bill into law, allow it to become law without their signature, or veto it. If vetoed, the bill is sent back to Congress, which can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. This process was notably undertaken by President Clinton with the Brady Bill, which was an early success for his administration's domestic policy agenda.

Legislative processes

The legislative process is the primary function of Congress as the Legislative Branch of the US government. It involves the creation and modification of laws, as well as the authority over financial and budgetary policies. Here is a detailed overview of the legislative process:

Any member of Congress can introduce a bill. In the House, the legislation is handed to the clerk or placed in the hopper, while in the Senate, members must gain recognition from the presiding officer to announce the introduction. The bill is then assigned a number (e.g., HR 1 or S 1), labelled with the sponsor's name, and sent for printing. Senators can jointly sponsor, and members can cosponsor, a bill.

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 between them. Committees can hold hearings, request comments from government agencies, and make revisions. If substantial amendments are made, a new "clean bill" is introduced, and the old one is discarded. The committee then votes on the bill, and if passed, it is sent back to the chamber with a written report explaining the committee's actions and any dissenting opinions.

Rules Committee:

In the House, most bills go through the Rules Committee, which sets strict time limits on debate and may forbid amendments. The Rules Committee can be bypassed through a two-thirds vote to suspend the rules, a discharge petition, or a Calendar Wednesday procedure.

Calendar and Debate:

The Majority Leader schedules legislation for the calendar. In the House, there are four calendars, while in the Senate, there is a Legislative Calendar and an Executive Calendar. Bills are placed on the calendar of their committee and are usually debated and amended by the Committee of the Whole before being voted on by the entire chamber. The Senate allows for unlimited debate unless cloture is invoked, while the House has more restrictions on debate time.

Voting and Passage:

After the debate, the bill is voted on. If passed by both the House and the Senate, it is sent to the President. If the chambers pass different versions, the bill goes to a Conference Committee, consisting of members from both houses, to work out the differences. The Conference Committee prepares a written report, which must be approved by both chambers.

Presidential Review:

The President can sign the bill into law, allow it to become law without a signature, or veto it. If the President takes no action for 10 days while Congress is in session, the bill becomes law. If Congress adjourns before the 10 days, the bill does not become law ("Pocket Veto"). A presidential veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Enactment:

Once a bill is signed by the President or the veto is overridden, it becomes a law and is assigned an official number.

Executive influence

The executive's role in the legislative process is primarily focused on reviewing and approving bills passed by the legislature. Once a bill is passed by both chambers, it is sent to the President or Governor for consideration. At this stage, the executive has three main options: signing the bill into law, allowing it to become law without a signature, or vetoing it.

When the executive chooses to sign a bill into law, it signifies their approval and support for the proposed legislation. This action is often accompanied by a public statement or ceremony, as seen in the case of President Clinton signing the Brady Bill into law. This step concludes the legislative process and officially turns the bill into a law.

In some cases, the executive may choose to let a bill become a law without providing their signature. This can occur if the executive does not actively support or oppose the bill. By neither signing nor vetoing the bill, it automatically becomes law after a certain number of days.

However, if the executive opposes the bill, they have the power to veto it. A veto essentially blocks the bill from becoming a law. If the executive chooses to veto, the bill is sent back to Congress, along with a note explaining their reasons for doing so. Congress then has the opportunity to attempt an override of the veto, which requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Overriding a veto is challenging but not impossible, and it serves as a check on the executive's power in the legislative process.

The executive's influence is not limited to the final approval or veto of a bill. Throughout the legislative process, the executive branch can exert influence through various means. For example, the President or Governor can use their bully pulpit to advocate for or against specific legislation, leveraging their public platform to shape public opinion and exert pressure on Congress. Additionally, the executive can propose their own legislation, known as an administration bill, which originates from the executive branch and is introduced in Congress. This allows the executive to proactively shape the legislative agenda and drive policy changes.

Judicial review

The process of how a bill becomes a law is a multi-step legislative procedure that can vary depending on the country and the type of bill. In the United States, for example, the process typically involves the introduction of legislation, committee action, legislative votes, conference committee, presidential review, and judicial review. This process is designed to ensure that laws are carefully considered and reflect the interests of citizens.

The judicial review process serves as a critical safeguard in the legislative journey of a bill becoming a law. This process involves the examination of the constitutionality of a bill or law by the judiciary branch of the government. The judicial review acts as a check and balance on the legislative and executive branches, ensuring that the law aligns with the nation's constitution and protecting citizens' rights and liberties.

In the United States, the Supreme Court plays a pivotal role in judicial review. If a law is challenged on constitutional grounds, the Supreme Court hears arguments and makes a ruling. This ruling can uphold the law, strike down specific provisions, or invalidate the law entirely. The judicial review process helps maintain the balance of power between the three branches of government and ensures that laws adhere to the principles enshrined in the Constitution.

The journey of the Brady Bill, signed into law by President Clinton in 1993, exemplifies the role of judicial review. While initially considered a success for the Clinton administration, the Brady Bill faced a legal challenge in the U.S. Supreme Court a few years later, resulting in a significant portion of it being struck down. This showcases how judicial review can shape the fate of legislation and underscores the importance of the judiciary in interpreting and upholding the Constitution.

The judicial review process is a dynamic and ongoing aspect of the legislative journey. It empowers the judiciary to act as a guardian of the constitution, ensuring that laws reflect the values and principles upon which the nation was founded. By scrutinizing laws and holding them to constitutional standards, judicial review contributes to a more just and equitable society.

The legislative branch's primary function

The primary function of the legislative branch is to create and modify laws. The legislative branch also has authority over financial and budgetary policy, including levying and collecting taxes, duties, imposts, and excises.

The process of how a bill becomes a law involves several steps and highlights the legislative branch's role in creating and modifying laws. It begins with the introduction of legislation, where any member can introduce a piece of legislation. The bill is then assigned a number and a sponsor's name, and copies are made. The bill is then referred to the appropriate committee, where it can be assigned to a subcommittee, and hearings may be held. The committee then votes on the bill, and if it passes, it is sent to the full chamber for a vote. If the bill passes in the full chamber, it is sent to the other chamber, and if it passes there as well, it is sent to the president for review. If the president signs the bill or does not sign it within 10 days (when Congress is in session), it becomes a law. If the president vetoes the bill, it is sent back to Congress, and a two-thirds vote in both chambers can override the veto and make it a law.

The legislative process also involves the introduction and consideration of amendments to the bill, which can occur at various stages. Bills can be amended in committees, subcommittees, or on the chamber floor. Amendments must be germane to the subject of the bill, and the chamber must approve, change, or reject all committee amendments before conducting a final passage vote.

The legislative branch's role in creating and modifying laws is a key function of the US government, and the process of how a bill becomes a law involves a series of steps that allow for input from various stakeholders, including legislators, committees, the public, and the president.

The bill's journey

The journey of a bill to becoming a law is a lengthy process that requires careful consideration at each step. Here is a detailed account of the bill's journey:

The Birth of an Idea

The process begins with an idea, which can come from anyone. This idea is then pitched to a Senator or Assembly Member, who acts as the author of the bill. Both Assembly Members and Senators have a limit of introducing 50 bills per two-year session. The legislator then sends the idea and proposed language to the Legislative Counsel, where it is drafted into an official bill.

Once the bill is drafted, it is introduced in the House or the Senate. In the House, the legislation is handed to the clerk or placed in the hopper, while in the Senate, members must gain recognition from the presiding officer to announce the introduction during the morning hour. The bill is then given a number (e.g. HR 1 or S 1) and labelled with the sponsor's name. The first reading involves the clerk reading the bill number, the author's name, and the descriptive title. The bill is then sent electronically for printing and distribution.

Committee Action

The bill is referred to the appropriate committee by the Speaker of the House or the presiding officer in the Senate. The committee may hold hearings, request comments from government agencies, and make revisions. If substantial amendments are made, a "clean bill" with the proposed amendments is introduced, and the old bill is discarded. The committee then votes on the bill, and if passed, it moves forward.

Second Reading and Rules Committee

The bill is read a second time in the house of origin and placed in the Daily File. If there are no amendments, it is sent to the Engrossing and Enrolling office for comparison with the original bill. If amendments are adopted, the bill is reprinted with the changes. The bill then goes to the Rules Committee, which adopts rules governing the procedures for its consideration.

Third Reading and Voting

During the third reading, the bill is explained by the author, discussed by members, and voted on. The number of votes required depends on the nature of the bill. If it passes, the bill proceeds to the other chamber, where steps 1-5 are repeated.

Conference Committee

If the bill is amended in the second chamber, it goes back to the house of origin for concurrence on the amendments. If an agreement cannot be reached, a two-house conference committee, consisting of members from both chambers, works to resolve the differences. If a compromise is reached, a conference report is prepared and submitted to both chambers for approval.

The President's Review

The bill is then sent to the President for review. The President can sign the bill into law, allow it to become law without a signature, or veto it. If the President takes no action within 10 days and Congress is in session, the bill becomes law. If Congress adjourns before the 10 days, the bill does not become law ("Pocket Veto").

Veto and Final Passage

If the President vetoes the bill, it is sent back to Congress with a note stating the reasons. Congress can attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. If the veto is overridden, the bill becomes law and is assigned an official number.

Frequently asked questions