1. Write an essay explaining the hurdles a proposal must go through before it
becomes a reality.
•Bill gets sent to its relative committee ---> transportations committee
•Starts at the sub-committee level, sent from higher committee
•Happens in both Senate and House
•Then, in the House, it goes to the Rules Committee
•Schedule legislation, decide when the full House will vote on legislation
•Decide a time for debate and amendment process
•Goes to the full House and Senate
•Majority vote; Senate can slow it with filibusters
•If it passes both, goes to Conference Committee
•Reconciles differences between House and Senate
•After Conference Committee, goes back to full House and Senate
•If it passes both again, goes to President
•If he signs it, it becomes a law
•Second bill needed to appropriate money if money is involved
•If he vetoes it, veto can be overridden by a 2/3 vote of both House and Senate
•Second bill needed to appropriate money if money is involved
2. What committees do you want to get on and why?
•Substance ---> transportation, education, commerce; important to your area
•Appropriations ---> in charge of all the money
•Rules ---> schedule legislation, decide when to debate and amend legislation
