2.2.2 Legislative function Flashcards
1
Q
7
List the different stages of the legilsative process in Congress
A
- Introduction
- Committee consideration
- Scheduling
- Floor action
(Goes through same process in other House) - Resolving differences
- Presidential action
2
Q
2
Describe unanimous consent
A
- Setting aside of procedures for bill/action if no-one objects
- Applies to Senate only
3
Q
4
Describe the introduction of a bill in the House
A
- House Speaker places bill into relative committee
- Speaker can choose to send bill through multiple committees
- Lengthens process and makes it less likely bill will pass
- ‘split referral’ - places sections of bill into different committees to speed up process
4
Q
4
Describe the introduction of a bill in the Senate
A
- Presiding Officer of Senate places bill into relevant committee
- Usually goes to committee that has authority over relevant policy area
- unanimous consent required to place bll into multiple committees
- therefore power of presiding officer of senate weaker
5
Q
4
Describe the committee consideration stage
A
- Bills can be considered by whole committee, sub-committee or ‘pigeon-holded’
- If acted on, subject to committee hearings and amendments (‘mark ups’) by committee
- Final amended bill must pass vote of whole committee
- ‘Reported out’ to relevant House if passed
6
Q
3
Describe the process of ‘pigeon-holing’
A
- Bill not given any hearings or further action in commitee consideration stage
- Effectively ‘dies’ once current congressional session ends
- 90% of bills pigeon-holed
7
Q
2
Describe the signfiicance of ‘pigeon-holing’
A
- Can significantly delay or even entirely prevent the passage of legislation that does not fit the agenda of committee chairmen
- Does not follow will of the majority of Congress
8
Q
3
Describe the scheduling stage in the House
A
- House Rules Committee decides timetabling and sets rules on how bill can be debated
- ‘Open’ debate - amendments can be added
- ‘Closed’ debate - amendments cannot be added
9
Q
3
Describe the membership of the House Rules Committee
A
- Majority party dominates committee by 2:1 ratio
- Majority party members appointed by speaker
- Allows majority party to control passage of legislation
10
Q
2
Describe the scheduling stage in the Senate
A
- Senate majority leader decides timetable of debate
- Motion to proceed voted on with simple majority required
11
Q
3
Describe the floor action stage in the House
A
- Debates time-limited as determined by the House Rules Committee
- Debate dominated by bill’s sponsor and leading opponent
- Once time has elasped, vote taken of all members on passage of amendments and bill
12
Q
3
Describe the floor action stage in the Senate
A
- Similar process to House
- bill can pass by ‘unanimous consent’
- ‘unlimited debate’ which allows use of filibuster
13
Q
4
Describe fillibustering
A
- Prolonged speech on Senate floor aimed at preventing further action being taken on legislation
- blocks final vote on bill
- e.g. Ted Cruz spent 21 hours talking on 2013 debate to block bill extending Obamacare provisions
- Can be ended by ‘cloture motion’ which requires invokation from 60 Senators to allow bill to move forward to vote
14
Q
1
Describe the significance of fillibustering
A
- Contetious legislation requires support of 60 Senators to ensure it can succeed
15
Q
2
Describe opposition to fillibuster reform
A
- 2022, Machin and Sinema opposed Chuck Schumer’s motion to reduce votes needed to invoke ‘cloture motion’ to 50 votes
- defeated 48-52
