HOW OUR LAWS ARE MADE

Revised and Updated by Edward F. Willett, Jr., Esq.
Law Revision Counsel
United States House of Representatives

Presented by Mr. Brooks
November 20, 1989 - Ordered to be printed.

Entire Document

Document By Section

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction

II. The Congress

III. Sources of Legislation

IV. Forms of Congressional Action

• Bills
• Joint Resolutions
• Concurrent Resolutions
• Simple Resolutions

V. Introduction and Reference to Committee

VI. Consideration by Committee

• Committee Meetings
• Public Hearings
• Business Meetings
• Committee Action
• Public Inspection of Results of Rollcall Vote in Committee
• Proxy Voting
• Points of Order with respect to Committee Procedure
• Broadcasting Committee Hearing and Meetings

VII. Reported Bills

• Contents of Reports
• Inflationary Impact and Cost Estimates in Reports
• Filing of Reports
• Availability of Reports and Hearings

VIII. Legislative Review by Standing Committees

IX. Calendars

• Union Calendar
• House Calendar
• Private Calendar
• Consent Calendar
• Calendar of Motions to Discharge Committees

X. Obtaining Consideration of Measures

• Special Resolutions
• Consideration of Measures Made in Order by Previous Resolution
• Motion to Discharge Committee
• Motion to Suspend the Rules
• Calendar Wednesday
• District of Columbia Business
• Privileged Matters

XI. Consideration

• Committee of the Whole House
• Second Reading
• The Committee "Rises"
• House Action
• Motions to Recommit
• Quorum Calls and Rollcalls
• Voting
• Electronic Voting
• Pairing of Members
• System of Lights and Bells
• Broadcasting Live Coverage of Floor Proceedings

XII. Congressional Budget Process

XIII. Engrossment and Message to Senate

XIV. Senate Action

• Committee Consideration
• Chamber Procedure

XV. Final Action on Amended Bill

• Request for a Conference
• Authority of Conferees
• Meetings and Action of Conferees
• Conference Reports
• Custody of Papers

XVI. Bill Originating in Senate

XVII. Enrollment

XVIII. Presidential Action

• Veto Message

XIX. Publication

Slip Laws
• Statutes at Large
• United States Code