Text 7 C

Notes

The Legislative Process

Read the text and answer the following questions.

Text 7 B

1. How is the legislative process of passing a law organized?

2. Under what circumstances does a bill become a bill?

3. What happens to a legislative bill passed by Congress if the President vetoes it?

The first step in the legislative process is the introduction of a bill to Congress. Anyone can write it, but only members of Congress can introduce legislation. Some important bills are traditionally introduced at the request of the President, such as the annual federal budget. During the legislative process, however, the initial bill can undergo drastic changes.

After being introduced, a bill is referred to the appropriate committee for review. There are 17 Senate committees, and 23 House committees. Each committee oversees a specific policy area.

A bill is first considered in a committee, where it may be accepted, amended, or rejected entirely. The members of the committee invite experts, advocates, and opponents to appear before the committee and provide testimony.

When the bill comes up for consideration, the House of Representatives has a very structured debate process. Each member who wishes to speak has only a few minutes, and the number and kind of amendments are usually limited. In the Senate, debate on most bills is unlimited and any amendment can be introduced.

A bill must pass both houses of Congress before it goes to the President for consideration.

When receiving a bill from Congress, the President has several options. If the President agrees substantially with the bill, he or she may sign it into law, and the bill is then printed in the Statutes at Large. If the President believes the law to be bad policy, he may veto it and send it back to Congress. Congress may override the veto with a two-thirds vote of each chamber, at which point the bill becomes law and is printed.

There are two other options that the President may exercise. If Congress is in session and the President takes no action within 10 days, the bill becomes law. If Congress adjourns before 10 days are up and the President takes no action, then the bill dies and Congress may not vote to override. This is called a pocket veto, and if Congress still wants to pass the legislation, they must begin the entire process anew.

1. the introduction of a bill – внесение законопроекта

2. to introduce legislation – внести законопроект на рассмотрение

3. to undergo drastic changes – претерпеть радикальные изменения

4. to provide testimony – обеспечить дачу свидетельских показаний

5. option – выбор, право выбора

6. to sign into law – подписать и тем самым придать силу закона (о законопроекте)

7. the Statutes at Large – амер. свод законов

8. to override – отменять; аннулировать

9. to adjourn – откладывать, отсрочивать

10. a pocket veto – амер. “карманное вето ” (неподписание президентом США законопроекта до роспуска Конгресса)

Translate the following text in a written form. Use a dictionary if necessary.

All legislative power in the government is vested in Congress, meaning that it is the only part of the government that can make new laws or change existing laws. The President may veto bills Congress passes, but Congress may also override a veto by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Article I of the Constitution enumerates the powers of Congress and the specific areas in which it may legislate.

Both chambers of Congress have extensive investigative powers. Members of Congress spend much of their time holding hearings and investigations in committee.

The Senate maintains several powers to itself: it ratifies treaties by a two-thirds supermajority vote and confirms the appointments of the President by a majority vote. The consent of the House of Representatives is also necessary for the ratification of trade agreements and the confirmation of the Vice President.

Congress also holds the sole power to declare war.

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