Chapter 4 Section 4

“I’m Just A Bill”

According to the subsection entitled Floor Consideration, answer the following.

House of Representatives

What role does the House Rules Committee play in the passage of a bill?

They ensure all the preceding happen according to the rules set up as well as gather to amend the rules
as necessary.

What is the Committee of the Whole? When is it used? When is it dissolved?

It is when all 435 members are present. It is dissolved when a quorum is formed.

Senate

Explain the power of the hold a senator has over legislation.

Bills start in the house and then are sent to the senate, therefore they can hold those bills up from
passing by voting against them

What are unanimous consent agreements? Who has control over them?

What is the process for the Senate to end a filibuster? How many votes does it take (NOTE- the e-book
will tell you one answer, but you need to also know that this CHANGED in 2013 and is known as the
nuclear option- Make sure you include this here[ask me!]?

All presidential nominees except supreme court now only need 51 votes instead of 60 for a majority.

Senators have a power known as “hostage taking.” What is this? Why might they use it?

According to the subsection entitled Resolution of Differences Between the House & Senate Bills,
answer the following.

Explain the role of Conference Committees. How can a chamber (House or Senate) avoid a Conference
Committee?
Explain reconciliation of a bill.

According to the subsection Presidential Action, answer the following.

According to Article 1 sec 7 of the Constitution, what are the three choices the President has in relation
to bills becoming a law (pocket veto is NOT included here, just note that it is also an option)?

a.

b.

c.