7.3 The Legislative Process

Congress is where the legislative sausage gets made. Bills are introduced, debated, and voted on in a complex process involving committees, hearings, and negotiations. The journey from idea to law is long and winding.

Interest groups and lobbyists play a big role, trying to influence lawmakers. Meanwhile, the president can propose legislation, use the bully pulpit to drum up support, and wield veto power as leverage. It's a high-stakes game of political chess.

Legislation in Congress

Introducing and Passing Legislation

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• Legislation can be introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate
  • Revenue bills must originate in the House
• The bill is assigned a number and referred to the appropriate committee or committees based on its subject matter
• If the bill is approved by the committee, it is sent to the floor of the chamber where it was introduced for debate and a vote
• If the bill passes one chamber, it is sent to the other chamber, where the process is repeated
• If the bill is passed by both chambers in identical form, it is sent to the president for approval or veto
• If the president signs the bill, it becomes law
  • If the president vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers (House and Senate)

Role of Debate and Voting

• Debate on the House or Senate floor allows members to discuss the merits and drawbacks of the proposed legislation
  • Members may offer amendments to modify the bill during this stage
• Voting in the House and Senate determines whether the bill advances to the next stage of the legislative process
  • Simple majority vote (218 in the House, 51 in the Senate) is typically required for passage
• Differences between House and Senate versions of a bill must be reconciled in a conference committee before final passage

Committees and Legislation

Committee Specialization and Hearings

• Committees are specialized groups of legislators that focus on specific policy areas (agriculture, education, foreign affairs)
• Committees hold hearings to gather information and expert testimony on proposed legislation
  • Hearings allow stakeholders and experts to provide input and share their perspectives
• Committee members can amend, modify, or rewrite legislation before sending it to the full chamber for consideration

Committee Power and Influence

• Committees have the power to "mark up" bills, making changes and amendments before sending them to the floor for a vote
• The committee chair has significant influence over the committee's agenda and the fate of legislation referred to the committee
  • Chairs can decide which bills receive hearings and votes, and which are ignored
• Committees act as gatekeepers, determining which legislation moves forward and in what form
  • Controversial or unpopular bills may be "killed" in committee, never reaching the floor for a vote

Interest Groups and Lobbyists

Role of Interest Groups

• Interest groups are organizations that seek to influence public policy on behalf of their members or constituents (businesses, labor unions, advocacy groups)
• Interest groups provide information and expertise to legislators and their staff, helping to shape the content and direction of legislation
  • Groups may provide research, data, or policy recommendations to support their positions
• Interest groups may offer campaign contributions, endorsements, or other forms of support to legislators who support their positions

Influence of Lobbyists

• Lobbyists are individuals or firms hired by interest groups to advocate for their positions and influence legislators
• Lobbyists build relationships with legislators and their staff, providing information and arguments to sway their opinions
  • Lobbyists may arrange meetings, provide briefings, or offer guidance on complex policy issues
• The influence of interest groups and lobbyists can be controversial, as they may prioritize the interests of their members over the broader public interest
  • Critics argue that well-funded groups have disproportionate influence over the legislative process

President's Role in Legislation

Agenda-Setting and Advocacy

• The president can propose legislation and use the "bully pulpit" to advocate for their agenda and build public support
  • Presidents may outline their legislative priorities in the State of the Union address or other speeches
• The president can influence the legislative process through negotiations with congressional leaders and by threatening to veto legislation they oppose

Veto Power and Signing Statements

• The president has the power to veto legislation passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law unless Congress overrides the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers
  • Veto threats can be used as leverage to shape legislation during the drafting and negotiation process
• The president can also use signing statements to express reservations about legislation they are signing into law or to indicate how they intend to interpret and implement the law
• The president's veto power can be a powerful tool for shaping legislation and forcing Congress to negotiate and compromise
  • Vetoes are relatively rare, as presidents often work with Congress to address concerns before a bill reaches their desk