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 https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record.
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.