10/16: Legislative Process

What is a bill?

• A law that has been signed by the President.

• A proposed law under consideration by a legislature.

• The final action a standing committee takes on a piece of legislation.

• A rule allowing unlimited debate in the Senate.

In the House of Representatives, how is a bill officially introduced?

• A Representative announces the bill on the floor during a session.

• It's immediately sent to the President for review.

• A Representative introduces the bill by dropping it in a box called the hopper.

• The Speaker of the House simply signs a document.

What is the name for the only permanent committees in the legislature, to which a bill is sent for initial consideration?

• Conference Committee

• Select Committee

• Joint Committee

• Standing Committee

Most consideration and editing of bills occur in which part of the legislative process?

• Presidential Action

• Floor Action (Debating & Amending)

• Committee Action

• Conference Action

What is a rider?

• An amendment that reduces the spending in a bill.

• A change to a bill that must be related to its main subject.

• A provision on a subject other than the one covered in the bill.

• A legislator who sponsors a bill.

The Senate allows for unlimited debate on any bill under consideration, which can lead to the use of what stalling tactic?

• Override

• Quorum

• Filibuster

• Recess

What must happen for a bill to advance after it passes one house of Congress, but before it reaches the President?

• It must be signed by a Senator.

• It must be immediately sent to the President.

• It must be read and passed by the other house.

• It must pass another vote in the first house.

What is the purpose of a Conference Committee?

• To hold hearings for experts to testify on a bill.

• To debate and amend a bill on the floor of the House or Senate.

• To gather the minimum number of legislators required for a vote.

• To fix the differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill and create a single bill.

What is the term for the President's refusal to sign a bill?

• Pocket Pass

• Amendment

• Signature

• Veto

By what margin can Congress override a presidential veto?

• A simple majority vote in both the House and the Senate.

• A three-fourths majority vote in the House only.

• A two-thirds majority vote in both the House and the Senate.

• A unanimous vote in the Senate only.