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Congress can also pass resolutions to make policy on an unusual matter.

A joint resolution is a resolution passed in the same form by both houses.

A simple resolution covers matters affecting only one house of Congress and is passed by that house alone.

Concurrent resolutions cover matters requiring the action of the House and Senate but on which a law is not needed.

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

Lawmakers attach riders to bills that are likely to pass.

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The first step in the process is to write a bill.

To introduce a bill in the House, a member drops the bill into the hopper.

To introduce a bill in the Senate, the presiding officer must first recognize the senator, who then formally presents the bill.

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Bills are sent to the committees that deal with the subject.

Committees can ignore bills and simply let them “die,” or the committee can “kill” them by a majority vote.

A committee can completely rewrite a bill or amend it.

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Once the committee decides to act on a bill, they hold a hearing.

allow a committee to gather information, but most information usually comes from their staff research.

Committee chairs can use hearings to influence public opinion for or against a bill.

focus public attention on a problem or give interest groups a chance to present their perspective.

the best time for outside groups to influence the bill.

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Committee members go through the bill making any changes they think the bill needs.

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The floor debate is the point where amendments can be added to a bill unless the House has adopted a closed rule.

After each section is read, amendments may be offered.

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A quorum of the members must be present for the voting on the bill

The third reading of the bill is given, and the vote is taken.

House and Senate members can vote on a bill in one of three ways:

Voice vote

A standing vote

Roll-call vote

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Members of the conference committee are called conferees or managers.

They work out the differences by finding compromises.

A majority of the conferees from each house draft the final bill.

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If the president signs the bill, it becomes law.

The president can also keep the bill for 10 days without signing it.

The president can also reject a bill by using the veto.

If vetoed, it returns to the house where it originated.

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Congress can override a president’s veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses

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Once a bill becomes a law, it is registered with the National Archives and Records Service.

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Almost all important work on tax laws occurs in the House Ways and Means Committee.

The committee’s tax bills are usually debated on the House floor under a closed rule.

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The Constitution gives the Senate the authority to amend tax bills passed by the House.

The Committee on Finance has primary responsibility for tax matters.

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Congress follows an authorization bill and an appropriations bill.

an authorization bill sets up a federal program and specifies how much money can be used for it.

an appropriations bill is a legislative grant of money to pay for a government program.

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committees have a powerful influence on government agencies’ budgets.

the same appropriations subcommittees in both chambers review the budget.

Appropriations subcommittees often develop close relationships with certain agencies.

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earmarks are when members of Congress specify that some part of a funding bill will go toward a certain purpose.

Critics see earmarks as allowing members of Congress to direct money to their own pet projects or to satisfy their own constituents.