How a Bill Becomes a Law

Bartholomew Roberts · January 5, 2011, 11:28 AM

The following article by Rich Galen describes how a bill becomes law:
http://www.mullings.com/01-05-11.htm

While we are all probably familiar with the Schoolhouse Rock version of this, Mr. Galen goes into a little bit more detail to explain the Committees and Rule making process that so often turns a simple bill into something more complex. At the same time, he keeps the discussion brief and simple to understand so that it isn't too dense.

He also provides some links for those who are interested in the details of Senate and House procedure.

I thought this would be a good refresher for TFL members as well as possibly provide some new information to help them understand the process better and so be able to better hold their Representatives and Senators accountable.

thallub · January 6, 2011, 07:27 AM

Thanks for the excellent post. The Rules Committee and the Ways and Means Committee are all powerful. The chairmen of those committees are unbending partisan types who are all powerful. Case in point - Dan Rostenkowski.

January 5, 2011, 11:28 AM	#1
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	How a Bill Becomes a Law The following article by Rich Galen describes how a bill becomes law: http://www.mullings.com/01-05-11.htm While we are all probably familiar with the Schoolhouse Rock version of this, Mr. Galen goes into a little bit more detail to explain the Committees and Rule making process that so often turns a simple bill into something more complex. At the same time, he keeps the discussion brief and simple to understand so that it isn't too dense. He also provides some links for those who are interested in the details of Senate and House procedure. I thought this would be a good refresher for TFL members as well as possibly provide some new information to help them understand the process better and so be able to better hold their Representatives and Senators accountable.

January 6, 2011, 07:27 AM	#2
thallub Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: South Western OK Posts: 3,112	Thanks for the excellent post. The Rules Committee and the Ways and Means Committee are all powerful. The chairmen of those committees are unbending partisan types who are all powerful. Case in point - Dan Rostenkowski.