A Bill Becomes a Law
Home About the Project Citations Site Map Contact the Author
Unit 8
 
Legislative Lingo
 
Strategies and Power Plays
 
Exceptions to the Rule
 
Stats, Quirks, and Examples
 
The Legislative Junkie

Strategies and Power Plays

Unit 8

 

1.: PROPONENTS: Proponents of legislation spend a lot of time personally trying to convince committee members to support their legislation based on its merits, often continuing the attempts to expand the supportive coalition through amendments in the subcommittee stage. With the support of the chair, they can stack the hearing witnesses and schedule the final vote when opponents are unavailable.

2. OPPONENTS: Opponents have a number of chances to kill or slow down legislation by proposing numerous amendments, or by not showing up and making it difficult to get the quorum necessary to carry on business.

 

Unit Introduction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

home    ::    about project    ::   citations    ::   site map     ::   contact author

Copyright © 2005 The Dirksen Congressional Center

Home Unit 1: Introduction Unit 2: From Problems to Solutions Unit 3: Origin of Bills Unit 4: Bill Drafting and Floor Introduction Unit 5: Referral to Committee Unit 6: Subcommittee Review Unit 7: Mark-up and Subcommittee Voting Unit 8: Committee Action Unit 9: Scheduling Floor Consideration Unit 10: Floor Debate Unit 11: Floor Votes Unit 12: Ironing Out Differences Unit 13: Presidential Action and Congressional Reaction Unit 14: The Legislative Processes