The primary function of Congress, as the Legislative Branch of our government, is to create and modify laws. In addition, under the powers enumerated in the Constitution, Congress has authority over financial and budgetary policy by levying and collecting taxes, duties, imposts and excises, and, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. Here
is the legislative process, from introduction to enactment into law: Any member can introduce a piece of legislation. House: Senate:
COMMITTEE ACTION The bill is referred to the appropriate committee by the Speaker of the House or the presiding officer in the Senate. Most often, the actual referral decision is made by the House or Senate parliamentarian. Bills may be referred to more than one committee and it may be split so that parts are sent to different committees. The Speaker of the House may set time limits on committees. Bills are placed on the calendar of the committee to which they have been assigned. Failure to act on a bill is equivalent to killing it. Bills in the House can only be released from committee without a proper committee vote by a discharge petition signed by a majority of the House membership (218 members). Committee Steps:
FLOOR ACTION Legislation is placed on the Calendar:
Debate:
Vote:
THE PRESIDENT
THE BILL BECOMES LAW What are some ways that a bill can be killed?Once the governor receives a bill, he can sign it, veto it, or do nothing. If he signs it, the bill becomes law. If he does nothing, the bill becomes law without his signature. If he vetoes the bill, and the Senate and House of Representatives do nothing, the bill “dies.
What are three ways a bill can be killed?Veto. Refusal by the President to sign a bill into law. ... . Pocket Veto. When Congress is in the last 10 days of it season, the President can ignore, or "pocket" it, and the bill will just die.. Vote to Reject. At any point, a committee could simply vote down the bill.. Pigeonhole. ... . Filibuster.. How can a bill be killed quizlet?A bill may be killed in committee and it may go to several committees. It may be placed at the end of the calendar and Congress runs out of time. It may be killed on the floor during debate. It may not pass through the opposite house, or may be vetoed by the President.
What are the 2 ways the president can stop a bill from becoming a law?The president can approve the bill and sign it into law or not approve (veto) a bill. If the president chooses to veto a bill, in most cases Congress can vote to override that veto and the bill becomes a law. But, if the president pocket vetoes a bill after Congress has adjourned, the veto cannot be overridden.
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