Debating a Bill in Congress
May 2nd 2010 12:11
There is another major bill going to be debated in the House and in the Senate. The government is looking to add another agency to oversee the Financial Industry so another large sector of the public sector will be monitored and managed by the government. So I thought it would be smart to bring this topic into our current discussion to what it means to bring a bill to the floor for debate. We have heard that the senate debates issues and bills on the floor especially over the health care bill, again allowing Puerto Rico becoming a state and now with the financial reform bill.
Each bill is to go the “the Floor” for debate. Going to the floor means that the sponsoring committee (that committee who has ruled, investigated and written/rewritten the proposed bill) for deliberation. The discussion is controlled by rules set forth by the Rules Committee. The current members of the Congressional Rules Committee are:
James McGovern, David Drier, Alcee Hastings, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Doris Matsui. Pete Sessions, Dennis Cardoza, Virginia Foxx, Michael Arcuri, Ed Perlmutter, Chellie Pingree, Jared Polis. It is the Rules Committee [dictates] how a piece of legislation gets to the floor, how many amendments will be considered, and how much time will be allowed for debate. The Committee usually sets the conditions for debate and may also waive various points of order against a bill or an amendment which would otherwise prevent House action. Because [of] the Rules Committee's critical role in controlling the legislative process, the Committee has traditionally been held under the tight control of the Speaker, and that is as it should be.3
The Committee of the Whole (All members of the legislative body) discusses and adds or writes the bill but, they cannot officially pass it. When a bill is going to be debated it is the committee responsible for writing the bill or the Sponsoring Committee responsible for guiding it through the debate process. Each side those for the bill and those against are supposed to have equal time to argue their point of view. It is the rules committee that determines how much time each person presenting their views is allowed to speak. All amendments added to the bill are to be relevant to the subject matter of the bill and at the time of the debate there are no riders (what we can pork or earmarks). Once the language is debated (and not necessarily agreed upon the bill is reported back to the House (then send it back to themselves) and it is then it is to be voted on. Do you remember this happening during the healthcare reform bill? There were discussions and the addition of some language on abortion that initially was added and then removed, also who can forget about the addition of the language for Louisiana
Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, who revealed her position shortly before Mrs. Lincoln did, was considered safely in the Democratic fold, particularly after $100 million in added Medicaid money for her state was included in the measure. Republicans have nicknamed that provision the Louisiana Purchase” (4).
Once the bill is fully debated and topics discussed all of the rules were followed. Then there must be a vote on the floor. The house needs a quorum call to insure there are enough House members present to take a vote. There must be 218 Congressmen and women present to have a final vote. If there are not enough members on the floor at the time of the vote then the Sergeant of Arms needs to find and have the missing members report.
I know that there was some strong pressure from the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi to get members of Congress to vote for the health care bill. These deals and promises generally cost you the taxpayer money. You need to be aware. Former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, R-Ga. (1995-1999), once said that the "rules of the House are designed for a Speaker with a strong personality and an agenda."(2) House Rules Chairman David Dreier, R-Calif., highlighted the panel's close ties to the speakership when, echoing former Speaker Albert, he said: "The Rules Committee is the Speaker's committee." (1)
It is important that you know what your representatives are doing and to be aware. It is important for you to get involved. I am not here giving a political pundit speech but it is our government and each member of the House and the Senate works for you. You pay their salaries. As we look to our leaders to work towards making America greater it is our country also so you need to read the bills when possible (I know they are not always available) and to let your representative know what you think and tell them how you want them to vote on each issue.
If you do not know who your representative is here is a URL that will help you. Really Long Link
References
1. New York Times, April 2, 1995: 20.
2. House Republican Barry, John M. "The Man of the House," New York Times Magazine, Nov. 23, 1986: 109
3. Lead New York Times, April 2, 1995: 20. Robert H. Michel, "Dear Republican Colleague" Letter, October 26, 1984, p. 8.
4. Hulse, C., Senator Cements Roles in the Heart of Debate New York Times (Money and Politics) November 21, 2009
| 27 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
