How a Bill Becomes a Law

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How a Bill Becomes a Law

• It can be presented to the House of
  Representatives or to the Senate.
• Once approved in one of the two chambers, it
  passes to the other.
• Once approved in both chambers, it passes to a
  Conference Committee made up of members of both
  chambers.
• The version agreed upon there, goes again to
  both chambers once approved, it goes to the
  President.
• The President can sign or veto.
• The Presidents veto can be overridden by a 66
  majority in both chambers.

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How a Bill Becomes a Law
3
The Budget and Foreign Aid

• January 20th marks the beginning of the
  legislative year.
• In February, the administration presents its
  annual budget.
• Details about foreign aid are made available on
  the internet www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/60436
  .htm
• The audiences start.
• The Party with the majority chooses the
  witnesses.
• The first round consists of people from the
  administration.
• The second round consists of other experts.

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The Budget and Foreign Aid

• In March, the Committees begin to work on the
  language.
• Group members of the Colombia Steering Committee
  present text that they want to include.
• In May, the Subcommittee in the House of
  Representatives works on the language that will
  go for debate on the floor.
• In June, the Rules Committee of the House of
  Representatives establishes the conditions for
  the floor debate.
• In June, the bill goes to the floor for debate
  and voting in the House of Representatives.

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The Budget and Foreign Aid

• In June, the Subcommittee in the Senate works on
  the language that will go for debate on the
  floor.
• In July, the bill goes for debate and voting on
  the floor of the Senate.
• Normally, there isnt that much debate in the
  Senate.
• In September, both versions go to the Conference
  Committee.
• A consensual version is developed.
• The legislative cycle closes on September 30th.
• Normally, they dont finish on time.

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Members of the House of Representatives
Appropriations Subcommittee for Foreign Operations

• Republicans
• Frank Wolf (VA 10th ) Ranking Member
• Joseph Knollenberg (MI 9th)
• Mark Kirk (IL 10th)
• Ander Crenshaw (FL 4th)
• Dave Weldon (FL 15th)

• Democrats
• Nita Lowey (NY 18th) Chair
• Jesse Jackson (IL 2nd)
• Adam Schiff (CA 29th)
• Steve Israel (NY 2nd)
• Ben Chandler (KY 6th)
• Steven Rothman (NJ 9th)
• Barbara Lee (CA 9th)
• Betty McCollum (MN 4th)

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Members of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
for Foreign Operations

• Republicans
• Judd Gregg (NH) Ranking Member
• Mitch McConnell (KY) Chair
• Arlen Specter (PA)
• Robert Bennett (UT)
• Christopher Bond (MO)
• Sam Brownback (KS)
• Lamar Alexander (TN)

• Democrats
• Patrick Leahy (VT) Chair
• Daniel Inouye (HI)
• Tom Harkin (IA)
• Barbara Mikulski (MD)
• Richard Durbin (IL)
• Tim Johnson (SD)
• Mary Landrieu (LA)
• Jack Reed (RI)