Jim Beam 6/4/12 Government Final Period 9 How a Bill Becomes a Law A bill starts out as an idea for a new law. The idea is to change or do away with an existing law. There are hundreds of bills enter the legislative process in West Virginia each time the Legislature meets. Two of the groups that elected citizens are 34 senators and 100 delegates that study, discuss and vote on bills, and in doing so act for the people of West Virginia. Bills that enter the legislative process either through the House of Delegates or the Senate.
The House of Representatives, or House for short, is currently composed of four hundred and thirty-five members. Each of the fifty states is allocated one or more representatives based on its population as calculated by the decennial once in ten years. Each state is guaranteed at least one representative. The people of each district vote to elect one representative to Congress. States that have only one representative allocated choose at-large representatives- the state votes as one entire district.
An amendment proposed by 2/3rds vote in each house of congress could be approved by either one of two ways. It must be either ratified by 3/4ths of the State Legislature or by the Constitutional Conventions in 3/4ths of the states. To approve an amendment proposed at a National Constitutional Convention it must also be ratified by 3/4ths of the State Legislatures or by a Constitutional Convention in 3/4ths of the States. The First Amendment, freedoms, is one of the most known and the most important of all amendments. The new American settlers brought with them a desire for democracy and openness.
I am interested in finding out why this has become so popular, and with whom in particular. 2. Inside the debate a. Legislation The very first proposal of English Only legislation to Congress in 1982 by Senator S.I. Hayakawa was to make English the official and only language spoken by the US government and all subsidiaries, has since been proposed nearly every year thereafter.
before all bills are sent to the president for signature; they must pass through all stages in both Senate and House of Representatives for approval. This is significantly important in assessing how equal they because not only does the bill pass through all stages but neither House can override the wishes of the other. Secondly, both Houses must vote by two-thirds majorities to override the President’s veto of a bill. For example, in 2007, the congress overrode President Bush’s veto of the Water Resources Development Bill. In addition, in order to initiate constitutional amendments – a constitution amendment must be approved by a two-thirds majority in both houses before it can be sent to their states for their ratification.
The House of Representatives would be made up of officials voted in every 2 years, and whose numbers are determined proportionate to the population of the state- for example, Alaska being a small state, only has 1 representative, whereas California, being the most populous state, currently has 53 representatives. The Senate is elected every 6 years, and each state has 2 representatives. Legislation must pass between both houses with a 2/3 majority, enhancing the checks and balances within the legislature. Congress exercises eight significant checks on the Executive, including: the power to amend or block legislation, to override the President’s veto with a 2/3 majority in both houses, power of the purse- all money the president wants to spend on his policies must be approved by Congress, the power to declare war, to ratify treaties, the Senate has the power to confirm appointments made by the President to the Judiciary and the Executive branch, e.g justices, cabinet members, heads of important agencies such as the CIA, the power of investigation, and the ultimate power of impeachment. However, despite this range of powers, we have seen Congress’ power decline since the start of the Constitution.
At the time it was written also in 1791 this was relevant as the British forces still strong in the colonies were taking over homes and towns to intimidate the locals and the government saw it fit to enable them to defend themselves. In America it is relatively easy to get numerous guns legally which would probably explain why it’s the world capital for gun crime. This would be considered as an out of date amendment however due to the American far right and the constitutionalists changing this would be impossible. Another way to formally amend the constitution is by calling a convention “for proposing amendments”. For the bill to be “ratified” a ¾ majority in all states must be reached.
There are two ways of how an amendment gets passed. The first method is for a bill to pass both halves of the legislature, by a two-thirds majority in each and then approved by three-fourths of the State. Second method prescribed is for a Constitutional Convention to be called by two-thirds of the legislature of the state and for the Convention to propose one or more amendments. The amendments that have failed either didn't get
The New Jersey Plan proposed for a one-house legislature in which each state would cast only one vote. While the Virginia Plan called for a Congress of two houses in which the total number of delegates would be divided among the states according to the free population of each state. The decision between these two proposals is known as the Great Comprise. The delegates suggested the creation of a two-house legislature composed of a House of Representatives and a Senate. However, to satisfy those who supported the Virginia Plan, members of the House were to be allotted to the states based on population.
The first process, “is for a bill to pass both houses of the legislature, by a 2/3 majority in each house.” Then once the bill is approved by both houses, it goes on to the states for voting. This is the most popular way amendments are passes. The second process is a Constitutional Convention, two-thirds of the legislatures of the States, and for that Convention to recommend one or more amendments, and then the amendments go to the states to be accepted by three-fourths of the legislatures. Therefore, by understanding how the government can try to change the amendment we all have a say when it comes down to it by