How a (tax) bill becomes a law

House or Senate

House or Senate

House

BILL ISINTRODUCED

SENT TO COMMITTEE

REFERED TO SUBCOMMITTEE

REPORTED BY FULL COMMITTEE(WITH RECOMMENDATIONS)

GIVEN TO RULES COMMITTEE

DEBATE ONHOUSE FLOOR(and a vote – 50+%)

SENATE

BILL ISINTRODUCED

SENT TO COMMITTEE

REFERED TO SUBCOMMITTEE

REPORTED BY FULL COMMITTEE(WITH RECOMMENDATIONS)

DEBATE ONSENATE FLOOR(and a vote – 50+%)

SENT TO CONFERENCECOMMITTEE

(adjusted & vote)

BACK TO HOUSE&

BACK TO SENATE

FOR VOTE

SENT TO PRESIDENT

Presidential Actions

• Sign it into law• Ignore it into law (if Congress is in

session)• Veto the bill• “Pocket veto” (ignore it –

Congress not in session)

Veto actions by Congress

• Override the veto (2/3 vote in House & Senate)• Impeach the President

How a bill becomes a law

(Additional Notes)

Introducing a bill

• Ideas for bills may come from anyone• Bills are introduced into Congress (US) or

the Legislature (States) by legislators only.

• Most bills “die” in committee• All revenue bills must start in the HOUSE–WHY?

Why do revenue/spending bills start in the House?

• Connects to the idea of “Limited Government”

• The House has more members = more debate

• The House is “closest to the people”

Why is the process so long?

• Connects to the “Limited government” idea

• A good idea will make it through• An idea that is not good or not ready will

die*Side note: This is why people are so critical of “Executive Actions”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFroMQlKiag

The “reality” of lawmaking

• The process is often streamlined (shortcuts)

The “reality” of lawmaking

• The process is often streamlined (shortcuts)–All people involved communicate along

the way

The “reality” of lawmaking

• Political parties play a huge role

The “reality” of lawmaking

• Political parties play a huge role–“Majority Leader” decides what gets

introduced–They know the opp. Party will reject–Introduce after the election

The “reality” of lawmaking

• Interest groups (esp. rich, powerful) have enormous power

The “reality” of lawmaking

• Interest groups (esp. rich, powerful) have enormous power–They have the resources to influence

the government

*Side note: this is why critics do NOT like more government involvement!

The “reality” of lawmaking

• Names have meaning

The “reality” of lawmaking

• Names have meaning–“Affordable Care Act”–“Clean Air Act”–“No child left behind”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYsyRg4U8qM

Saturday Night Live

Version!!

Types of Committees

• INTERIM committees meet between legislative sessions.• CONFERENCE committees resolve

differing versions of bills• SPECIAL/SELECT committees created

for specific purposes

Types of Laws

Laws that deal with crimes & punishments are called

Laws that deal with crimes & punishments are called

Criminal Law

Laws that involve disputes between 2 or more parties (people, organizations,

etc.) are called

Laws that involve disputes between 2 or more parties (people, organizations,

etc.) are called

Civil Law

Major / Serious crimes are called

Major / Serious crimes are called

Felonies

Medium/Moderate crimes are called

Medium/Moderate crimes are called

Misdemeanors

(degrees - disorderly conduct, prostitution)

Minor crimes are referred to as

Minor crimes are referred to as

Summary Offences

(Non-traffic – loitering, petty theft)

A piece of legislation enacted by a local municipal authority.

A piece of legislation enacted by a local municipal authority.

Ordinance

Who deals with the broken laws or disputes depends on

Who deals with the broken laws or disputes depends on

Jurisdiction

Federal crimes include:

Federal crimes include:

mail fraudidentity theft

drug trafficingillegal immigrationillegal downloading

State crimes include:

State crimes include:

violent crimeproperty crime *weapon offenses

kidnappingstalking