Congress.gov: Calendars and Scheduling

Summary

The video explains the process of how bills are considered in the U.S. Congress, focusing on both the House and Senate. In the House, majority party leadership decides which bills are brought to the floor for consideration, sometimes using the Rules Committee for extended review. In the Senate, bills can be taken up through a motion to proceed or unanimous consent, with senators sometimes placing holds to delay or block consideration. Party leaders keep their members informed of the floor schedule through various communications, ensuring a structured and strategic legislative process.

Takeaways

• 📜 Once a committee reports a bill, it is added to the respective Chamber's calendar for potential floor consideration.
• ❗ Being on the calendar does not guarantee that a bill will be debated; many may never reach the floor during a Congress.
• 🏛️ In the House of Representatives, the majority party leadership controls the scheduling of bills for consideration.
• ⚡ Majority leadership can expedite floor consideration after consulting with committee leaders.
• 🔄 The Rules Committee may facilitate a more extensive discussion and amendments for specific bills in the House.
• 📊 The Senate does not follow the same procedures as the House for bringing bills to the floor.
• 🗳️ A bill can be taken up in the Senate through a motion to proceed, typically made by the majority leader.
• 🤝 The Senate can also begin considering a bill if the majority leader asks for unanimous consent and there are no objections.
• ⏳ If a senator objects to a unanimous consent request, they can place a hold on the bill, delaying its consideration.
• 📢 Party leaders keep their members informed of the anticipated floor schedule through communications like whip notices.

Q & A

What happens to a bill once a committee has reported it?

Once a committee has reported a bill, it is placed on one of the respective Chambers' calendars, which is a list of bills eligible for floor consideration.

Are bills on the calendars guaranteed to be considered on the floor?

No, bills on the calendars are not guaranteed floor consideration, and many may never be brought up during the course of a 2-year Congress.

Can a bill be brought to the floor without being placed on a calendar?

Yes, it is possible, although less common, for a bill to come directly to the floor without being reported and placed on a calendar.

Who decides which bills the House will consider?

In the House, the Majority party leadership decides which bills will be considered and in what order.

What role does the rules committee play in the House?

The Majority party leadership may ask the rules committee to start the process of bringing a specific bill to the floor for more lengthy consideration and possible amendments.

How does the Senate differ from the House in bringing bills to the floor?

The Senate does not use the same set of rules as the House; one way the Senate can take up a bill is by agreeing to a motion to proceed to it.

What is the process for a senator to motion for a bill in the Senate?

Typically, the Majority Leader makes a motion for the Senate to proceed to a certain bill, which is then debated, and if agreed upon by a majority vote, consideration of the bill can begin.

What is unanimous consent in the Senate?

Unanimous consent is when the Majority Leader can ask for the Senate to take up a certain bill, and if no senator objects, the Senate can immediately begin consideration of that bill.

What does it mean if a senator places a hold on a bill?

If the Majority Leader refrains from making a unanimous consent request because a senator would object, it is often said that a senator has placed a hold on the bill.

How do party leaders keep their members informed about the floor schedule?

Party leaders keep their membership informed of the anticipated floor schedule using various methods, such as periodic whip notices and other frequent communications.