Gavin Howe
Changing a federal law is no easy task, but it can be done. The first step is to do your research: understand the existing law, who created it, and whether there is any pending legislation that might cover the same issue. Then, you need to identify the right level of government to approach—federal laws are changed through Congress, which is the lawmaking branch of the federal government. A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law, and it can be introduced by a sitting member of Congress or proposed during their election campaign. You can also petition a bill by requesting that your elected representative introduces a new law or change on your behalf. Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee, then put before that chamber to be voted on. If it passes, it goes to the other body to go through a similar process. Once both bodies accept a bill, they must work out any differences between the two versions. The bill then goes to the President, who can choose to veto it. If the President does not sign off on the bill, it will be pocket vetoed by default.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can change a federal law? | Congress |
| Who can propose a federal bill? | A sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, a citizen group, or an individual citizen |
| What is the process for changing a federal law? | A bill is proposed, assigned to a committee, put before a chamber to be voted on, and then goes through a similar process in the other chamber; if both chambers accept, they must work out any differences between the two versions |
| What happens if the president chooses to veto a bill? | Congress can vote to override the veto, and the bill becomes a law |
| What happens if the president does not sign off on a bill? | If the bill remains unsigned when Congress is no longer in session, the bill will be vetoed by default (a "pocket veto") |
| What if the law I want to change is not federal? | Determine whether the law is local, state, or national, and approach the relevant level of government |
| How can I get involved in changing a federal law? | Support a petition or start one of your own, or contact your elected representatives to introduce new laws or changes on your behalf |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the level of government responsible for the law
The first step in changing a law is to identify the level of government responsible for creating it. This can be done by researching the law in question and understanding the governing structure of your area.
In the United States, laws can be passed at the local, state, or federal level. Local laws are typically passed by a town or city council, with some larger cities having additional positions within the city government, such as city managers and commissioners. If you are looking to change a local law, you will need to identify the relevant local council member, supervisor, mayor, or county executive. Towns and cities have different governing structures, so it is important to understand how your local government works.
State laws, on the other hand, are passed by the state legislature. Each state has a different legislative process, so it is important to understand the specific process in your state. You can reach out to your state house representative or state senator to discuss changing a state law.
Federal laws are the most challenging to change and are passed by Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is the only body that can initiate tax and revenue-related legislation. The Senate is the only body that can draft legislation related to presidential nominations and treaties. If you want to change a federal law, you will need to work with your elected representatives in Congress, who can introduce new laws or changes on your behalf.
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Research pending legislation and lawmakers
Researching pending legislation and lawmakers is an important step in understanding how to change a federal law. Here is a guide to help you get started:
Understanding the Legislative Process
Before researching, it is essential to grasp how a bill becomes a law in the US federal system. The US Congress, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, is the lawmaking branch of the federal government. A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. The idea for a bill can originate from a sitting member of Congress or be proposed during their election campaign. Additionally, citizens can petition their representatives in Congress to introduce a bill.
Once a bill is introduced, it goes through a multi-step process:
- Committee Assignment and Review: The bill is assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to it.
- Floor Vote: After the committee stage, the bill is put before the chamber (either the Senate or the House) for a vote.
- Consideration by the Other Chamber: If the bill passes one chamber of Congress, it goes through a similar process in the other chamber, including committee review and a floor vote.
- Resolving Differences: If both chambers pass the bill, they must reconcile any differences between their versions.
- Presidential Action: Finally, the bill is sent to the President. It becomes law if the President signs it or takes no action and the deadline passes (usually 10 days, excluding Sundays). If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.
Finding Pending Legislation
To research pending legislation, you can utilize online resources such as GovTrack.us and Congress.gov. These websites provide information on bills currently before Congress and their progress through the legislative process. You can search for bills by keywords, subject areas, bill type, status, chamber of origin, and sponsors or co-sponsors. For example, on Congress.gov, you can use the "current legislation" search option to find bills at any stage of the lawmaking process in the current legislative session. You can also sign up for updates on specific bills, so you're notified when their status changes.
Researching Lawmakers
When researching lawmakers, it is essential to understand their roles and the differences between the Senate and the House. While both chambers are equal in authority, they have distinct procedural variations. For instance, only the House can initiate tax and revenue-related legislation, while the Senate handles presidential nominations and treaties. Examining lawmakers' voting records, committee assignments, and sponsorship of bills can provide insights into their legislative priorities and influence. Additionally, resources like OpenSecrets, mentioned on GovTrack.us, can reveal information about legislators' financial interests.
In summary, researching pending legislation and lawmakers involves understanding the legislative process, utilizing online tools to track bills, and examining the roles and records of lawmakers in both the Senate and the House. These steps will help you navigate the complex world of federal lawmaking and identify opportunities for advocacy and engagement.
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Write a draft of the law or seek support
To change a federal law, you will need to write a bill proposing a new law or a change to an existing one. A bill is a formal proposal for a new law or a change to a current law. It can be introduced by a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives or be proposed by citizens or citizen groups who can recommend a new or amended law to their member of Congress.
Before writing your bill, it is important to do your research. Find out which level of government is responsible for the law. Is it a federal, state, or local law? If it is a federal law, you will need to work with members of Congress to get your bill introduced and passed. Identify your elected representatives and reach out to them to discuss your proposal. Remember, they are there to represent you and your interests. Find out where they stand on your issue and ask them to sponsor your bill. The sponsor is the lawmaker who helps write the bill and introduces it to the legislature.
When writing your bill, be sure to focus on a specific problem with a clear and actionable solution. Your proposal should be well-researched and thought out. Consider the potential impact of your proposed change and be prepared to address any concerns or objections that may arise. It is also important to build support for your bill. Engage with your community and seek feedback to refine your proposal. You can also start a petition to gather signatures in support of your bill. This will demonstrate public interest and support for your proposal.
Once your bill is introduced, it will be assigned to a committee that will research, discuss, and make changes to it. Keep yourself updated on the progress of your bill and inform your supporters so they can show up and voice their support when it comes up for a vote. If your bill passes one chamber of Congress, it will then go to the other chamber for a similar process of research, discussion, and voting. Throughout this process, it is important to maintain communication with your representative and other supporters to address any concerns and make any necessary adjustments to your proposal.
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Start or support a petition
To start a petition to change a federal law, you must first do your research. Find out where the law you want to change belongs—for example, federal tax-related laws can only be introduced in the House of Representatives. Check for any pending legislation that might already cover the same issue. Then, research lawmakers to find the best person to work with to get the law changed. Remember, your elected representatives are the best ones to introduce new laws or changes on your behalf.
Next, choose a catchy and concise headline for your petition, and focus on what the law should be. If it's a local or state issue, be sure to include the relevant location in the headline to engage locals' attention. Choose an image that speaks to your desired change. A simple, striking image without text performs better than a mash-up of images. Look for colour contrast and close-ups of people and pets that portray emotion. Make sure you have permission to use the image.
Explain the problem and rationale for your petition. Be clear and concise, and focus on a specific problem with an actionable solution. The rationale for the petition must take the form of at least one of the following criteria:
- The existing law conflicts with pertinent statutes.
- Compliance with the law is routinely impossible or onerous.
- The law is inefficient or ineffective.
- The law is obsolete.
- A new law is needed.
Finally, collect signatures! The more people who sign your petition, the more likely it is that the government will listen and make the change you want to see. Keep your signers updated so they can show up and support your petition when it comes to the floor for a vote and, eventually, when it gets signed into law.
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Follow the bill's progress
To follow a bill's progress, you can use various online tools and resources. Here are some steps you can take:
- Identify the specific bill you want to track. Knowing the name or number of the bill will make it easier to follow its progress. You can search for bills by topic or subject, or by their official bill number. For example, you can search for a bill related to "mining" or by its number, such as "AB20".
- Utilize websites like GovTrack.us and state legislature websites. These websites provide updates on bills and allow you to subscribe to email alerts or RSS feeds. For instance, GovTrack.us offers updates on new bills, bill summaries, and legislative activity of your representatives.
- Stay informed about committee hearings and amendments. Once a bill is introduced, it is typically sent to a relevant committee for review. Committees may hold public hearings and propose amendments. Attending or participating in these hearings can provide insights into the bill's progress.
- Track the bill through the legislative process. Bills go through several readings and votes in each house of the legislature. You can follow the bill's progress by checking its status on legislative websites, which will indicate whether it is in the first or second house and whether it has undergone any amendments.
- Monitor the final stages, including the governor's or president's approval. Once a bill passes both houses of the legislature, it is sent to the governor or president for approval. This stage involves a decision to sign the bill into law or veto it. Understanding this process and staying updated on the bill's progress will help you anticipate the next steps.
- Be aware of the effective date of the law. Once a bill is signed into law, it usually takes effect within a few days, but the 'effective date' may be delayed to allow for preparation. This is important to know as it marks the point when the law comes into force.
By following these steps and utilizing the provided resources, you can effectively follow the progress of a bill through the legislative process and stay informed about its status and any amendments made.
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Frequently asked questions
Changing a federal law is no easy feat and will require a lot of time and effort. It will likely involve the following steps:
- Research the current federal laws and find the right level of government to approach.
- Find out who your elected representatives are and lobby them to introduce a new law or amendment on your behalf.
- Draft a bill (a proposal for a new law or change to an existing law) and get a lawmaker to introduce it to the legislature.
- Once the bill is introduced, it will be assigned to a committee, then put before that chamber to be voted on.
- If the bill passes one body of Congress, it will go to the other body to go through a similar process of research, discussion, changes, and voting.
- If both bodies vote to accept the bill, they must work out any discrepancies between the two versions.
- If the president chooses to veto the bill, Congress can vote to override the veto, and the bill becomes a law.
It is important to do your research and understand the current laws and how they are made. Find out which level of government is responsible for the law you want to change. If it is a federal law, you will need to approach national lawmakers. You could also start or support a petition to gain support for your cause.
Choose a catchy headline and be clear and concise. Focus on what the law should be and include the relevant location if it is a local or state issue. You could also attend community meetings to bring up your issue with local lawmakers and gain support.
