Walk Down Civics Memory Lane: Navigating through the Legislative
and Appropriations Process
Prepared by the Council for Exceptional Children
Words to Consider
“One voice can change a room, and if it can change a room, it can change a city, and if it can change a city, it can change a state, and if it can change a state, then it can change a nation, and if it can change a nation, it can change the world.”
- Barack Obama
Civics 101: Why it’s important to be informed
Knowing how the process works helps you:– Navigate your way through the system.– Helps you understand how to use your time most
effectively.– Communicate effectively with members of Congress
and their staff.– Better inform your network and makes you a better
advocate.
How the Legislative Process Works…L e g is la t ion M a y B e in g in E ith e r th e H o use or S en a te
H o u se P a s se s M e a su re
H o u se De b a te s , A m en d s M e as u re
L e a de rsh ip S ch e du le s M e asu re fo r F lo o r C o ns id e ra t ion
M e a su re is re fe rre d to co m m ittee- H e a rin g s H e ld
- R e po rts M e a sure to H o u se
M e asu re in tro d uce d in the Ho u se
S e na te P a sse s M e asu re
S e na te D e ba tes , A m e nd s M e asu re
L e a de rsh ip S ch e du le s M e asu re fo r F lo o r C o ns id era tion
M e a su re is re fe rre d to co m m ittee- H e a ring s H e ld
- R e p o rts M ea sure to S en a te
M e asu re In tro du ced in S en a te
How a Bill Becomes Law
How a Bill Becomes Law
How a Bill Becomes Law
Photo of Democratic Amendments to ESEAHouse of Representatives, February 2012
Getting to the President’s Desk…
O n e C h am b era g ress to the o th erch a m be r's ve rs ion
H o u se A pp ro ve s Co n fe re n ce R ep o rt S e na te A p p ro ves C on fe re n ce R ep o rt
E a ch ch am be r ap p o in ts M e m b e rsto a c o n fe ren ce com m ittee
to reco nc ile th e d iffe re nce s a nda g ree s to a co n fe re n ce rep o rt
H o us e a nd S e na te e xch an gea m en d m e nts to b ill a nd
re ach a g ree m e n t
Measures must pass the House and Senate in identical form before being presented to the President.
Getting to the President’s Desk …
Your Signature, Please…
Once On the President's Desk....
P re s id e n t S ig nsM e a s u re
M e a su re B e com esL aw
If C o ng re ss is in se s s ionm e asu re b e co m es law
If C on g res s is n o t in s es s ionm e asu re d oe s n o t b e co m e law
("p o cke t ve to ")
If P re s id e n t d oe s n o t s ignm e a su re in to law
w ith in 1 0 d a ys:
P re s id e n t V e tos M ea s u reM e as u re d oe s n o t b e co m ela w un le ss b o th ch a m b e rs
o v e rrid e ve to b y 2 /3 m a jo rity
The Budget Process
During the year prior to the year in which the fiscal yearbegins April – June Agencies begin budget requests
July – AugustOffice of Management and Budget provides guidance to agencies
Early fall Agencies submit initial budget request to OMB
Nov. – Dec. OMB, President review requests
This is the first step in deciding program funding amounts
The Budget Process (cont.)
By first Monday in Feb. President submits budget to Congress
February – September Congressional phase.
By July 15 President submits mid- session review to
Congress
October 1 Fiscal year begins
October – September OMB apportions funds to agencies
The Budget Process (cont.)
February – September Congressional phase.
You Are Here!
Navigating through the Appropriations Process
House of Representatives
H o u se floo r ac tion
F u ll co m m itte e m a rku p an d re p o rt
S u b co m m ittee m ark up
S u b co m m itte e H e arin gs
Senate
S e na te f lo o r ac t ion
F u ll co m m itte e m a rku p an d re p o rt
S u b co m m ittee m arkup
S u b co m m itte e H e arin gs
Let’s Work it Out…
House-Senate Conference
H o us e ag ree s to c on fe re n ce rep o rt S e na te a g re e s to co n fe ren ce rep o rt
H o u se a nd S en a te C o nfe ree s Re co nc ile D iffe re n c es in tw o m e as u res
H o us e na m es co n fe re es S e na te n am e s con fe re es
Sent to President
Minibus?? Omnibus??Shutdown?
Realistic Plans???26
Key Terms
Fiscal Year: October 1 through September 30 Mandatory Spending: Spending (budget authority and
outlays) controlled by laws other than annual appropriations acts.
Discretionary Spending: Spending controlled by the annual appropriations acts
Continuing Resolution: provides budget authority for Federal agencies and programs to continue in operation until the regular appropriations acts are enacted.
Resources for this presentation:Congressional Deskbook 2005-2007
www.senate.gov
www.house.gov