Lawmaking Process

1
Lawmaking Process
Washington DC

• Bill-
• Name of a law before it gets passed

2
I. Lawmaking
"I'm Just a Bill"

• 1. Bill starts on House or Senate
• a. Revenue () start in House
• 2. Given a and sent to a Committee
• a. 20 Senate Standing Committees
• b. 20 House Standing Committees
• 3. Committee modifies Bill
• 4. Committee approves or disproves Bill
• a. Typically only 1 of 5 get approved

I'm just a bill,Yes, I'm only a bill,And I'm
sitting here on Capitol Hill.Well, it's a long,
long journeyTo the capital city,It's a long,
long waitWhile I'm sitting in committee,But I
know I'll be a law someday...At least I hope and
pray that I will,But today I'm still just a bill.
3
I. Lawmaking Continued

• 5. 1st House votes on Bill
• a. Sent to 2nd House upon approval
• 6. 2nd House votes on Bill
• a. Sent to President upon approval

4
I. Lawmaking Continued

• 7. President receives Bill and either
• a. Signs it
• -Bill becomes a Law
• b. Vetoes it
• -Bill is sent back to
• Congress who can approve
• it by 2/3 majority vote
• c. Pocket Vetoes it
• -President ignores Bill for
• 10 days
• becomes a Law if Congress
• is still in session
• thrown away if Congress
• is not in session

5
Balance of Powers

• Branches of Government
• Legislative Executive Judicial
• I I I
• Congress President
  Courts
• House/Senate
  Cabinet/Police
  Judges/Jury
• I I I
• Make Laws Enforce Laws
  Interpret Laws
• 
  Administer Justice