5: The Legislative Process
- Page ID
- 231661
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)As we saw previously, the U.S. Congress -its institutions and leadership- functions as the nation's premier law making body. Now, get an inside look at the legislative process through which laws are created with formal rules, informal practices, and outside dynamics that influence it. After writing your Letter to Congress during the previous module’s homework assignment, and having seen how many bills are considered by Congress at any given time, let us now take a look at how bills become law.
The passage of a bill’s adoption and transformation into law is marked by an intricate process of
negotiation
compromise, and
power play.
After the congressional leadership decides on the merit of a bill (the Speaker of the House, and the Senate Majority Leader) they assign it to Standing and Subcommittees for review. Hearings are held and testimonies heard, drafts are edited and marked up unit the bill faces committee votes, floor discussions, and finally a full floor vote.
If the bill passes, it it sent to the other chamber. For example, if the House of Representatives worked on it first, it is then sent to the Senate, and vice versa.
If both chambers pass their versions of the bill, their differences get ironed out in a Conference Committee negotiations.
All the while, external pressures influence its passage, such as public opinion, stakeholder pressure, and media reports.
Law-Making and DEI
In our previous module on congressional institutions, you noted how complex the intersection is between Congress and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) topics. We saw how DEI-focused policies have been weakened in the education and healthcare spheres, for example. In contrast to grassroots movements advocating for inclusive policies, lobbyists -such as corporate interests- oppose equity mandates on the pretext of "colorblindness" or reverse discrimination.
The readings on the next page challenge you to learn more about this process and how minority interests, as well as our civil rights and liberties are affected and perhaps compromised. In our classroom activity, you get to experience law making hands-on, and in your homework assignment you are prompted to bring it all together with your reflection on this learning object.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Map the Journey of a Bill: Track the lifecycle of legislation from introduction to passage, including:
- Committee assignments and markups
- Floor debates and amendments
- Voting procedures and reconciliation
- Analyze Political Dynamics: Examine how negotiation, compromise, and power shape outcomes:
- The role of party leadership in prioritizing bills
- Stakeholder influence (lobbyists, grassroots movements)
- Procedural tools like the filibuster and discharge petitions
- Evaluate DEI in the Process: Investigate systemic barriers for marginalized communities:
- How "colorblind" arguments weaken equity-focused bills (e.g., HEAL Act amendments)
- Disparities in witness representation at committee hearings (only 22% from minority-led orgs in 2023*)
- Contrast corporate lobbying against DEI mandates with community-led advocacy
- Apply Your Knowledge: Simulate lawmaking in our in-class activity, practicing coalition-building.
- Reflect on how legislative rules amplify or silence diverse voices in your homework.