TOPICS #22-23 — CONGRESS AS A LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY:

STRUCTURE AND PROCESS

Q1.     How has Congress organized itself in order to carry out its legislative duties?

Q2.     What steps must be followed in order for a bill to become a law?

Q3.     How does bicameralism influence the legislative process? What are some differences between the House and Senate with respect to the way carry out their legislative duties?

Q4.     Why might it be said that we have a tricameral legislature? What are the legislative powers of the President?

representation vs. legislation (and investigation and oversight)

parliamentary system — unification of legislative and executive powers

          centralized and partisan organization

internal organization of Congress — separation of legislative and executive powers

          (relatively) decentralized & non-partisan organization

How a Bill Becomes a Law ("obstacle course on Capitol Hill")

          standing legislative committees with specialized jurisdictions

                     subcommittees with further specialization

                     hearings and markup

                     agenda power

                                gate-keeping power: discharge petition

          House floor action

                     Rules Committee: open vs. restrictive vs. closed rules

                     germaneness rule

                     committee of the whole: quorum requirement

                     floor votes: voice / teller / roll call [electronic voting system] votes

                                amendments vs. final passage

          Senate floor action

                     unanimous consent agreements

                     unlimited debate (“filibuster”) and cloture

                     riders

          conference committee

          President: signature / veto / override / no signature: pocket veto

                     Congressional “packages” vs. item veto