Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process provides an in-depth examination of congressional operations, House and Senate legislative procedures, the dynamics of Congress, the work of committees, floor procedures, reconciliation of differences between houses and presidential action. If your job requires you to understand, follow, and impact legislation, or if you’re new to government affairs, here’s your chance to get up to speed in one information-packed day.
This course shows you: • How the House and Senate differ • Where ideas for bills really come from, and how bills are introduced and referred • How committee hearings, markups and reports work • How legislation reaches the floor • Rules and procedures that help or hurt legislation • Floor action in the House and Senate • How the two chambers reach agreements • The President’s options and Congress’ recourse
Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process equips attendees with the practical knowledge and procedural insight needed to follow, influence, and navigate congressional activity effectively.
Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process
9:00 am to 4:30 pm (networking lunch at approximately 12 noon)
Welcome and Introduction Overview of the Legislative Process
• Why Congress behaves the way it does • Differences between House and Senate procedures • Politics and dynamics of Congress
Introduction and Referral of Legislation • Where ideas for bills come from • Drafting of legislation • Introduction and obtaining cosponsors • Referral of bills to committees • Types of referrals
The Work of Committees: Hearings, Markups and Committee Reports • Types of committees and membership in committees • The work of subcommittees: hearings, markups, reports
How the Senate Schedules and Votes on Legislation • Senate Calendars • Scheduling procedures and the amendment process • Unanimous consent time agreements; the “hold” • Filibusters; cloture motions
How Legislation Gets to the House Floor and House Floor Procedures • Rules Committee, open, closed, modified rules • House Calendars • Suspension of the rules • House floor procedures and the amendment process • Committee of the Whole
Reconciling Differences Between the House and Senate • Reconciling differences via amendments between the Houses • Conference committee procedures and reports
Presidential Action • Presidential action • Veto override
The fee for this program depends on the location, number of attendees, length, and training materials. For more information reach out to training@sunwater.org
“I now have a better understanding of the working of Congress and I see why the legislative process can be so long. It all was very useful since this is a new area of work for me-I feel better equipped to perform the duties of my job.” — Attendee, Administrative Office of the US Courts
“Better able to strategize regarding lobbying efforts and better able to inform my members on status of legislation.” — Government Affairs staffer, national association