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| | Which commands the military? (President) | | Which commands the military? (President) |
| | Which raises taxes? (Congress and President) | | Which raises taxes? (Congress and President) |
| − | Which prosecutes criminals? (President, through the Dept. of Justice, and the Courts) | + | Which prosecutes criminals? (President, through the Dept. of Justice, by bringing cases in the federal courts) Who runs the Post Office? (Set up by Congress as authorized by the Constitution, and managed by Executive Branch) Where does money (currency) come from? (same) Federal District Courts? (Set up by Congress under Article III; judges are appointed by President; the system is run by the Judiciary) |
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| − | 1. Post Office? (Set up by Constitution and Congress, managed by Executive Branch)
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| − | <br>2. Money? (same)
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| − | <br>3. Federal District Courts? (Set up by Congress under Article III; judges are appointed by President; system is run by Judiciary)
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| | It is important to understand how bills become federal law. A member of the House of Representative will sponsor a new piece of legislation (i.e., a “bill”). He tries to add as many co-sponsors to his bill as he can persuade. He introduces it into the appropriate committee. (By the way, the most powerful committee is “Ways and Means,” which handles taxation and spending.) | | It is important to understand how bills become federal law. A member of the House of Representative will sponsor a new piece of legislation (i.e., a “bill”). He tries to add as many co-sponsors to his bill as he can persuade. He introduces it into the appropriate committee. (By the way, the most powerful committee is “Ways and Means,” which handles taxation and spending.) |
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| | Usually the committee will have a subcommittee devoted to the issue, and the bill is addressed and revised in the subcommittee. Ultimately it comes up to the committee for a vote. If it passes, then it is sent to the House Rules Committee, which will determine the procedure for debate by the full House. Discussion and amendments may be limited. Then the entire House considers and votes on the bill according to the assigned rules. If it passes, then it goes to the appropriate committee in the Senate. | | Usually the committee will have a subcommittee devoted to the issue, and the bill is addressed and revised in the subcommittee. Ultimately it comes up to the committee for a vote. If it passes, then it is sent to the House Rules Committee, which will determine the procedure for debate by the full House. Discussion and amendments may be limited. Then the entire House considers and votes on the bill according to the assigned rules. If it passes, then it goes to the appropriate committee in the Senate. |
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| − | In the Senate the procedures are different. Once on the floor of the Senate, Senators can delay passage by filibustering the bill. If a “cloture” vote of 60 or more is attained, then filibusters are prohibited. But amendments are still allowed. If the Senate passes the bill, then it goes to a conference committee staffed by House and Senate members. They reconcile any differences between the House and Senate versions, and the bill goes back to each for final passage. If it passes, then onto the President for signature. If he vetoes, then it goes back to Congress for a possible veto override (which is difficult to do!). | + | In the Senate the procedures are different. Once on the floor of the Senate, Senators can delay passage by filibustering the bill. If a “cloture” vote of 60 or more is attained, then filibusters are prohibited. But amendments are still allowed. If the Senate passes the bill and it is not identical to the House version, then the bills go to a conference committee staffed by House and Senate members. They reconcile any differences between the House and Senate versions, and the bill goes back to each for final passage. If it passes, then onto the President for signature. If he vetoes, then it goes back to Congress for a possible veto override (which is difficult to do - 2/3rds majority vote in the House and Senate are required to override a presidential veto). |
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| − | Keep in mind that is responsible for the day-to-day operation of government. Congress employs on a few thousand people, and the Courts likewise have a small number of employees. But the Executive Branch of the federal government employs millions. | + | Keep in mind what is responsible for the day-to-day operation of government. Congress employs only a few thousand people, and the Courts likewise have a small number of employees. But the Executive Branch of the federal government employs millions. |
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| | == The 113th Congress == | | == The 113th Congress == |