White House Legislation Essay

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A bill from the start to the White House The beginning of this process legislation is introduced; any member can introduce a piece of legislation. The legislation is then given to the clerk of the House or placed in a hopper. Senate Members have to get the attention of the presiding officer to announce the introduction of the bill, then the following steps are implemented: The bill is assigned a number. The bill is labeled with the sponsor's name. The bill is sent to the Government Printing Office (GPO) and copies are made. Senate bills can be jointly sponsored. Members can cosponsor the piece of Legislation. Committee Action then begins the bill is then referred to the appropriate committee by the Speaker of the…show more content…
Finally there is a vote by the full committee - the bill is "ordered to be reported." A committee will hold a "mark-up" session during which it will make revisions and additions. If substantial amendments are made, the committee can order the introduction of a "clean bill". Next is floor action bills are placed on one of four House calendars. They are usually placed on the calendars in the order of which they are reported yet they don't usually come to floor in this order. Legislation is placed on the Legislative Calendar. There is also an Executive calendar to deal with treaties and nominations. Scheduling of legislation is the job of the Majority Leader. Bills can be brought to the floor when a majority of the Senate chooses. Then debate, and it is limited by the rules put together in the Rules Committee. The Committee of the Whole debates and amends the bill but cannot technically pass it. Debate is guided by the Sponsoring Committee and time is divided equally between proponents and opponents. Amendments must be germane to the subject of a bill. The bill is reported back to the House and is voted on. A quorum call is a vote to make sure that there are enough members present (218) to have a final vote. Once at the Senate the debate is unlimited unless cloture is invoked. Members can speak as long as they want and amendments need not be germane. Senators can use a filibuster to defeat a measure by
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