About the Legislative Process
What is the “Congressional Record”?
All proceedings of Congress are published in the “Congressional
Record,” which is issued when Congress is in session.
Publication of the document began on March 4, 1873 and was the
first record of debate officially reported, printed, and published
by the federal government. “The Daily Digest” of
the “Congressional Record” summarizes the proceedings
of each day in each house and before each of their committees
and subcommittees. “The Digest” also presents the
legislative program for each day, and, at the end of the week,
gives the program for the following week. This is an excellent
resource for anyone interested in public policy and advocacy.
Access the “Congressional Record” online at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/crecord/index.html.
What is the Congressional Committee System?
On Capitol Hill, the center stage of policy making is held
by committees and subcommittees. Law making requires an understanding
of many complex subjects, and the committee system provides
a means by which members can attain a high degree of specialization.
Once a committee has subjected a bill to close scrutiny, it
is expected that the decision will be upheld on the floor. However,
many lawmakers no longer defer to committees, and there are
many floor challenges to committee bills.
Both committee chairs and subcommittees wield a great deal
of influence over the fate of legislation and thus, programs
for families. They call meetings, establish priorities, hire
and terminate staff, arrange hearings, designate members of
conference committees (conferees), chair markups (revisions)
of bills, and act as floor managers. The chair’s authority
derives from the support of a committee majority as well as
from the power of the position.
There are 36 standing committees of both houses of Congress.
There are 16 standing committees in the Senate and 20 in the
house of Representatives. In addition, there are select committees
in each house and various congressional commissions and joint
committees composed of members of both houses. Each house may
also appoint special investigating committees. The membership
of the standing committees of each house is chosen by a vote
of the entire body; members of other committees are appointed
under the provisions of the measure establishing them.
What is Floor Action?
The discussion and vote on a bill can be completed quickly
or can occur over a prolonged period of time. Floor action can
be lengthy with numerous speeches and attempts to amend the
bill. The bill can be voted by a “voice vote”, a
“roll call” (recorded) vote, or if there are no
objections, by “unanimous consent.”
What is Executive Action?
Once approved, a conference report is sent to the White House
for a presidential signature or veto. The President can veto
a bill in two ways:
- Send a veto message to Congress outlining the offending
provision.
- If Congress is adjourned, take no action on the bill within
ten calendar days (excluding Sundays) after the measure reaches
the President’s desk. This is called a “pocket
veto.”
When Congress is in session and the President fails to take
action within ten days, the measure becomes law. If the President
vetoes a bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds
majority recorded vote in both the House and the Senate.
Once a bill is law, the relevant agency within the executive
branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing
the law according to congressional intent begins drafting regulations
that specify how the law will be executed at the federal, state,
and local levels.
Learn more about Congress:
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