How does a bill become a law? A bill is proposed legislation that is introduced in the House or the Senate. After its introduction, it is assigned to the appropriate committee and subcommittee. The subcommittee reviews the bill, holds hearings to amend the bill, and then recommends approval of the new version by the full committee. If the full committee concurs then the bill "reports," with any additional amendments, to the floor for debate and final vote. The House and Senate must approve the bill in identical form before it can go to The President for signature. The President can then sign the bill, veto it, or pocket veto it. Once signed, the bill becomes a law. If the President does NOT sign or veto the bill within ten days while Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes a law.
How do members vote on the House floor? Each member may vote "yea," "nay," or "present" by inserting a voting card into a voting station on the House floor. The lighted wall above the House floor reflects the member's intended vote.
How many committees are there in Congress? There are twenty-two committees in the House (including "select intelligence") and twenty-three in the Senate. A full listing of committees may be found by visiting the Web sites for House Committees and Senate Committees.
What is the line of succession if the President should die or leave office before the end of the term?
- Vice President
- Speaker of the House
- President pro tempore of the Senate
- Secretary of State
- Secretary of the Treasury
- Secretary of Defense
- Attorney General
- Secretary of the Interior, followed by the secretaries of other departments
What does "H.R." stand for? A bill originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters "H.R." followed by a number that it retains throughout all its parliamentary stages. The letters signify "House of Representatives" and not, as is sometimes incorrectly assumed, "House resolution". A "H.R." is what most people are speaking of when they discuss potential laws under debate in the U.S. House of Representatives.
What does "H. Res." stand for? A matter concerning the rules, the operation, or the opinion of the House alone is initiated by a simple House Resolution. A resolution is only binding in the House of Representatives and is designated "H. Res." followed by its number.
When is Inauguration Day? Inauguration takes place on January 20th on the West Front of the Capitol. President Washington was inaugurated on April 30, 1789. Following that, Inauguration Day was moved to March 4th. That lasted until 1937 when a Lame Duck Amendment adjusted the official day to chilly January 20th.
What are the requirements for being a U.S. Representative?
- must be at least twenty-five years old
- must be a resident of the state they represent
- must have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years
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