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fandomhigh2017-02-09 07:51 am
imafuturist) wrote in fandomhigh2017-02-09 07:51 am
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Civics, 1st Period - Thursday 2/9
"Today we're going to talk about how a bill becomes a law," Steve said, "because Executive Orders, regardless of how many you sign in a day, only have the force of law if there is existing legislation behind them. They are used to regulate how the various executive departments operate and are subject to judicial oversight."
Steve was mentally betting that the current president didn't know either of those things.
No bet, Steve. No bet.
"We'll cover judicial oversight in another class," Tony promised. Because it was looking to be important for the kids to understand the other other stuff going on. There was so much. Oh god. "A bill can be drafted by, well, anyone who wishes to. But then it will be submitted to the one of the two chambers of our legislative branch, the House of Representatives or the Senate. If it involves spending, it has to start in the House. And from there, it goes to committee. Which is a fancy way of saying they get to play favorites on what they want to push forward and what they want to quietly kill before it even takes it's first steps."
"There are a lot of bills that get introduced and never go anywhere," Steve said. "Thousands each session. And a good portion of those bills are poorly thought out, useless wastes of paper."
Tell us how you really feel, Steve. "But yeah, it then goes to a committee. And if the committee is really feeling like doing its job, there will even be committee hearings debating the merits of the bill."
"And if they decide there's merit to the bill, it goes to the floor for a full vote on the matter. Should a majority approve, it'll be passed onto the second house, the Senate. Where the process repeats itself," Tony said like he was trying to sound excited and failing miserably at it. "All over again. But there they might add amendments to the bill. Or gut the entire thing while keeping the name the same."
Wasn't government fun, kids?
"And then they'll take the two, possibly wildly different bills and have a conference committee with members of the House and Senate and, which definitely includes a lot of yelling and probably scotch, and come up with one version of the bill that then goes to both chambers at the same time where they vote on it again. At this point, usually, months if not years have passed."
"And then," Tony paused for dramatic effect. "It goes to the president to be signed into law or vetoed--rejected, for those of you who aren't familiar with the term. But Congress can overcome a veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses. And that is how a bill can be passed into becoming a law."
Didn't you all wish you'd just watched a cartoon piece of paper singing about the process in the most optimistic of terms?
Yeah, but that cartoon was about making people stop at railroad tracks instead of being free to be squashed like patriotic, idiotic bugs because freedom from government interference or something.
"Not surprisingly, it doesn't happen very often if the subject matter is controversial," Steve said. "Congress is supposed to pass spending bills every year, and sometimes that, designating National Cheese Day, renaming post offices, and congratulating sports teams is just about all they get done."
"I love National Cheese Day," Tony commented quietly. Then cleared his throat. "We'd like you to tell us, in a perfect world where all of this goes how it was originally planned to, what law you would want to be passed. Bonus points: tell us how you would make the current process better."
And yes, throwing rotten fruit was a valid suggestion.
Steve was mentally betting that the current president didn't know either of those things.
No bet, Steve. No bet.
"We'll cover judicial oversight in another class," Tony promised. Because it was looking to be important for the kids to understand the other other stuff going on. There was so much. Oh god. "A bill can be drafted by, well, anyone who wishes to. But then it will be submitted to the one of the two chambers of our legislative branch, the House of Representatives or the Senate. If it involves spending, it has to start in the House. And from there, it goes to committee. Which is a fancy way of saying they get to play favorites on what they want to push forward and what they want to quietly kill before it even takes it's first steps."
"There are a lot of bills that get introduced and never go anywhere," Steve said. "Thousands each session. And a good portion of those bills are poorly thought out, useless wastes of paper."
Tell us how you really feel, Steve. "But yeah, it then goes to a committee. And if the committee is really feeling like doing its job, there will even be committee hearings debating the merits of the bill."
"And if they decide there's merit to the bill, it goes to the floor for a full vote on the matter. Should a majority approve, it'll be passed onto the second house, the Senate. Where the process repeats itself," Tony said like he was trying to sound excited and failing miserably at it. "All over again. But there they might add amendments to the bill. Or gut the entire thing while keeping the name the same."
Wasn't government fun, kids?
"And then they'll take the two, possibly wildly different bills and have a conference committee with members of the House and Senate and, which definitely includes a lot of yelling and probably scotch, and come up with one version of the bill that then goes to both chambers at the same time where they vote on it again. At this point, usually, months if not years have passed."
"And then," Tony paused for dramatic effect. "It goes to the president to be signed into law or vetoed--rejected, for those of you who aren't familiar with the term. But Congress can overcome a veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses. And that is how a bill can be passed into becoming a law."
Didn't you all wish you'd just watched a cartoon piece of paper singing about the process in the most optimistic of terms?
Yeah, but that cartoon was about making people stop at railroad tracks instead of being free to be squashed like patriotic, idiotic bugs because freedom from government interference or something.
"Not surprisingly, it doesn't happen very often if the subject matter is controversial," Steve said. "Congress is supposed to pass spending bills every year, and sometimes that, designating National Cheese Day, renaming post offices, and congratulating sports teams is just about all they get done."
"I love National Cheese Day," Tony commented quietly. Then cleared his throat. "We'd like you to tell us, in a perfect world where all of this goes how it was originally planned to, what law you would want to be passed. Bonus points: tell us how you would make the current process better."
And yes, throwing rotten fruit was a valid suggestion.
Talk to the Teachers
Re: Talk to the Teachers
Re: Talk to the Teachers
Steve really wanted a grilled cheese sandwich now.