How Laws Are Made: A Cartoon Guide

The process of a bill becoming a law is a well-known concept, often referenced in popular culture, including the famous 1976 I'm Just a Bill segment from Schoolhouse Rock! This cartoon, featuring a song by the same name, offers a simplified explanation of the legislative process, showing how a bill must pass through both chambers of Congress and be signed by the President to become a law. However, the reality is often more complex, involving negotiations, bipartisan cooperation, and procedural hurdles like the Senate filibuster. While the Schoolhouse Rock! cartoon provides a foundational understanding, the actual path from bill to law can vary and sometimes face challenges and amendments along the way.

The role of the legislator

The legislator is also responsible for reviewing the drafted bill and ensuring that the provisions desired by the individual or group are in the bill in the correct form. Once the bill has been introduced, the legislator can be contacted to find out where the bill has been assigned. The legislator can also be contacted to express support or opposition to the bill.

The legislator can also be a useful point of contact for keeping track of current versions of a bill, as amendments can be submitted at any time during the legislative process. If an individual or group changes their position on a bill due to an amendment, they should inform the legislator.

The committee stage

Once a bill is introduced, it is referred to relevant committees in the House and the Senate. These committees are composed of groups of Congress members with specific interests or expertise in areas such as health or international affairs. The committees' primary role is to carefully evaluate the bill and determine its chances of passage by the entire Congress.

During the committee stage, hearings may be held to gather input from various stakeholders, including the executive branch, experts, public officials, supporters, and opponents of the bill. These hearings provide a platform for diverse perspectives to be considered and allow for a more informed decision-making process.

The committee may also choose to refer the bill to subcommittees for further study and hearings. Subcommittees have additional specialisation in specific topics, allowing for a more focused examination of the bill. After completing their review, subcommittees report their findings back to the full committee.

Following the hearings and subcommittee input, the committee will meet to "mark up" the bill. This involves making changes and amendments to the bill before recommending it for a vote on the chamber floor. The committee's mark-up session is an important step in refining and improving the bill based on the insights gained during the committee stage.

If the committee votes against reporting the legislation to the full chamber of Congress, the bill is effectively killed. On the other hand, if the committee votes in favour of the bill, it proceeds to the next stage of the legislative process, bringing it one step closer to becoming a law.

Approval by Congress

The process of a bill becoming a law is a complex one, and the famous "I'm Just a Bill" cartoon from Schoolhouse Rock! simplifies this process. The cartoon depicts a bill as a piece of paper with a face, explaining to a young boy how it needs to pass through Congress to become a law. While this is a light-hearted and educational representation, the reality is more intricate and often challenging.

If the bill is approved by the committee, it proceeds to the floor votes in the House and the Senate. This is where the support and cooperation of both Democrats and Republicans are crucial. Party leaders play a significant role in deciding whether a bill will be brought to the floor for a vote. It is important to note that the bill must pass both chambers, and if there are different versions of the bill passed by the House and the Senate, a complex process of concurrence or conference negotiations takes place.

In the case of E2SHB 1099, the bill went to concurrence, where the House was requested to agree with the Senate's version. However, the House instead requested a conference, which the Senate granted. During the conference, conferees appointed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate negotiate and discuss both versions of the bill privately. This process can lead to further amendments and additions to the bill. If a consensus is reached, a conference report is filed, including the new version of the bill.

The approval by Congress stage can be influenced by factors such as bipartisan cooperation, party politics, and the impact of the bill. It is important to remember that the process may involve multiple negotiations, revisions, and challenges before a bill can be approved by both chambers of Congress and move on to the next stage of becoming a law.

The President's involvement

The President has several options when receiving a bill. If they agree with the bill, they may sign it into law. On the other hand, if the President disagrees with the bill, they have the power to veto it and send it back to Congress. This is where the President's role becomes crucial. If the President chooses to veto a bill, Congress has the power to override that veto. In most cases, Congress can override the veto by holding a successful override vote, requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers. If both chambers pass the override vote, the bill becomes a law, even without the President's signature.

Additionally, the President's inaction on a bill can also have consequences. If the President does not sign or veto a bill within ten days of receiving it and Congress remains in session, the bill will become a law without the President's signature. However, if Congress adjourns before the ten-day period is up and the President takes no action, the bill is effectively vetoed by default. This is known as a pocket veto, and it cannot be overridden by Congress.

It is worth noting that some important bills, such as the annual federal budget, are typically introduced at the request of the President. While the President does not have the sole authority to enact legislation, their influence and input are significant in the legislative process.

The process of concurrence

During concurrence, one chamber will typically request the other chamber to concur with their version of the bill. If the other chamber agrees, the bill is then approved and sent to the relevant authority for signature, such as the Governor or the President. However, if they do not concur, they can request a conference, which involves appointing conferees to discuss both versions of the bill and negotiate on behalf of their respective chambers.

The conference provides an opportunity for compromise and collaboration, as conferees can consider either version of the bill, both versions, or even propose new ideas. If the conferees can reach an agreement, a conference report is filed, detailing the new version of the bill. This report is then made available to both chambers for their review and approval.

It is important to note that the conference is not mandatory, and one chamber may refuse to agree to the other's version, which can lead to the bill's demise. Additionally, the conference itself does not guarantee a successful resolution, as the conferees may fail to reach an agreement. In such cases, the bill may undergo further revisions or be abandoned altogether.

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