HOW OUR LAWS ARE MADE

Revised and Updated
January 31, 2000

by Charles W. Johnson, Parliamentarian,
U.S. House of Representatives

FOREWORD

First published in 1953 by the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives, this 22nd edition of "How Our Laws Are Made" reflects changes in congressional procedures since the 21st edition, which was revised and updated in 1997. This edition was prepared by the Office of the Parliamentarian of the U.S. House of Representatives in consultation with the Office of the Parliamentarian of the U.S. Senate.

The framers of our Constitution created a strong federal government resting on the concept of "separation of powers."

In Article I, Section 1, of the Constitution, the Legislative Branch is created by the following language: "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives."

Upon this elegant, yet simple, grant of legislative powers has grown an exceedingly complex and evolving legislative process. To aid the public's understanding of the legislative process, we have revised this popular brochure. For more detailed information on how our laws are made and for the text of the laws themselves, the reader should refer to government internet sites or pertinent House and Senate publications available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Charles W. Johnson

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION
    
2. THE CONGRESS
    
3. SOURCES OF LEGISLATION
    
4. FORMS OF CONGRESSIONAL ACTION
   1. BILLS
   2. JOINT RESOLUTIONS
   3. CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS
   4. SIMPLE RESOLUTIONS
   
    
5. INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE
    
6. CONSIDERATION BY COMMITTEE
   1. COMMITTEE MEETINGS
   2. PUBLIC HEARINGS
   3. MARKUP
   4. FINAL COMMITTEE ACTION
   5. POINTS OF ORDER WITH RESPECT TO COMMITTEE HEARING PROCEDURE
   
    
7. REPORTED BILLS
   1. CONTENTS OF REPORTS
   2. FILING OF REPORTS
   3. AVAILABILITY OF REPORTS AND HEARINGS
   
    
8. LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT BY STANDING COMMITTEES
    
9. CALENDARS
   1. UNION CALENDAR
   2. HOUSE CALENDAR
   3. PRIVATE CALENDAR
   4. CORRECTIONS CALENDAR
   5. CALENDAR OF MOTIONS TO DISCHARGE COMMITTEES
   
    
10. OBTAINING CONSIDERATION OF MEASURES
    1. UNANIMOUS CONSENT
    2. SPECIAL RESOLUTION OR "RULE"
    3. CONSIDERATION OF MEASURES MADE IN ORDER BY RULE REPORTED FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
    4. MOTION TO DISCHARGE COMMITTEE
    5. MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES
    6. CALENDAR WEDNESDAY
    7. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BUSINESS
    8. QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE
    9. PRIVILEGED MATTERS
    
     
11. CONSIDERATION AND DEBATE
    1. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE
    2. SECOND READING
    3. AMENDMENTS AND THE GERMANENESS RULE
    4. THE COMMITTEE "RISES"
    5. HOUSE ACTION
    6. MOTION TO RECOMMIT
    7. QUORUM CALLS AND ROLLCALLS
    8. VOTING
    9. ELECTRONIC VOTING
    10. PAIRING OF MEMBERS
    11. SYSTEM OF LIGHTS AND BELLS
    12. RECESS AUTHORITY
    13. LIVE COVERAGE OF FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
    
     
12. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET PROCESS
     
13. ENGROSSMENT AND MESSAGE TO SENATE
     
14. SENATE ACTION
    1. COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
    2. CHAMBER PROCEDURE
    
     
15. FINAL ACTION ON AMENDED BILL
    1. REQUEST FOR A CONFERENCE
    2. AUTHORITY OF CONFEREES
    3. MEETINGS AND ACTION OF CONFEREES
    4. CONFERENCE REPORTS
    5. CUSTODY OF PAPERS
    
     
16. BILL ORIGINATING IN SENATE
     
17. ENROLLMENT
     
18. PRESIDENTIAL ACTION
    1. VETO MESSAGE
    2. LINE ITEM VETO
    
     
19. PUBLICATION
    1. SLIP LAWS
    2. STATUTES AT LARGE
    3. UNITED STATES CODE
    
     
20. APPENDIX