Power in Passing

In UVOTN we talk a lot about when it is best to contact which representative. Some members of Congress and the Senate sit on committees and sub committees. These committees vote on certain bills to become laws, and for others it will never grace their desk. If you can catch a bill while it is in subcommittee then you may have a higher likelyhood of influencing its outcome. This is simply due to the fact that the subcomittee will have less memebers, so less people to convince/contact and try to convince. The best way to understand how a bill even gets to a subcommitte is to start at the beginning.

The great people at Classroom news will take us all back to school as we review how a bill becomes a law. In the article the news team breaks the ten full steps to four sections. The first section reviews how a bill gets introduced, which gives us some interesting information. Any person can draft a bill but it has to be introduced and backed by a member of Congress, then introduced to the House or Senate. This is further clarified by the PSORIASIS Action Network, as they explained any person “may request that a bill be prepared or help draft a bill” (PSORIASIS). We can take power in passing of bills and acts we want to see gain traction. The next stage is incredibly important because it helps us get a short list of representatives to call.

The Sectary of Senate and Clerk of House will assign bills to the correct subcommittee to review.  This is where “hearings will be held and views on the bill will be made public” (Classroom). This is the first chopping block for the bill so we can cut out any major threats we see in the bill. Important to note that if it originates in the Senate it will start with an ‘S’, in the House of Representatives it will start with an ‘H’. We can also see how each represetative thinks and how they will respond to their consituents needs. It is important to note that originator of the bill, should be on the sub committee. It is not required but is gives the bill wings in the subcommittee when they go to review it.

From this point the bill will go to the subcommittee floor. This is where it is introduced, where it will need co-signers. As long as it is before the bill begins it moves through the legislative process, any member of Congress can co-sign the bill. Many members will send a “Dear Colleague letter to build support”(NPF). This is the first place grassroots groups can jump in and fight for or against a bill. The subcommittee may hold hearings regarding the bill and this is where the publican can attend. The public may be individuals or organizations to provide testimony. The subcommittee will do their marks ups with the testimonies and hearings.

The next step is introducing it to the chamber floor. If there are more pressing matters then the bill may not be heard immediately. If a bill goes unresolved then subcommittee members can get in contact with the committee leaders, and try and get it heard sooner. When it is introduced it opens the door to start the whole process again. The chamber can then ask for a repeat of hearings, testimonies, and disclosure of evidence. If it is in the House then it can on a suspension calendar which only need 2/3rds vote to pass. This allowed for expitited consideration so process is a bit sped up.

If it is in the Senate then the committee have more time to review. If the Senate debates for too long then there can be a “cloture”which would close debate and call for a vote. The cloture vote must have sixty votes to full close the debate. If the bill gets past the subcommittee and major committee, it finally reaches the second chamber. If it originated in the House then it would go to the Senate, vice versa, and then it has to pass that legislative branch. Once a form of this bill passes that legislative branch, everyone votes on it.

The Senate and House both present and argue their versions then decide on a final form. The final form of this bill must have one version that was agreed on by both Senate and House representatives. Then the bill gets sent to a conferes committee which is generally composed of senators and representatives. This mix of officials would be on the original committee of legislation. The final form will go under review again! Once it is revised by this last committee then it will become a “Uniform Measure” which will finally see the President. The House and Senate must both agree on the document in full with no alterations or modifications. This document will then be signed by the President, and become a law. The President can veto it and shut it down, but this is more rare than anything.