Guest
07-30-2009, 05:14 AM
This is probably real simple, and I should know it, but my DC years were spent working for the DoD and I seldom had dealings with the Hill. I figure Steve and several other versed in the workings of the gov't could knock this one out easily.
So, let's say the House passes a bill on health care as does the Senate. The two bills differ drastically, in some cases being diametrically opposed. Pure supposition, but let's say the House bill contains provisions that would never be passed by the Senate, and maybe vice versa. We all know that the two bills would then go to the infamous "Conference".
So the Speaker and the Majority Leader would designate members of the Conference, naturally with at least a slight party slant. The Conference is to then work out a compromise bill, merging the primary points of the two diverse bills, and come up with a joint piece of legislation.
Do the respective chambers then vote again on the final bill? If so, is it at all common for one or both to vote down/veto the bill?
If not, what is to preclude the majority party from "compromising" during negotiation and vote of the Senate bill just to get something passed, then include, "in Conference", whatever they wanted in the first place? We often hear about things stuck on bills in one of the chambers that the talking heads comment will never get through Conference. Is there some Super Super Majority needed to pass things in Conference?
Okay, now that I've displayed my ignorance and disillusioned any who may have thought me at all intelligent, I can still name all the State Capitals, the Presidents in order, and the starting line-up of the 1955 KC A's, and can count down from 100 by 7's without pausing.
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So, let's say the House passes a bill on health care as does the Senate. The two bills differ drastically, in some cases being diametrically opposed. Pure supposition, but let's say the House bill contains provisions that would never be passed by the Senate, and maybe vice versa. We all know that the two bills would then go to the infamous "Conference".
So the Speaker and the Majority Leader would designate members of the Conference, naturally with at least a slight party slant. The Conference is to then work out a compromise bill, merging the primary points of the two diverse bills, and come up with a joint piece of legislation.
Do the respective chambers then vote again on the final bill? If so, is it at all common for one or both to vote down/veto the bill?
If not, what is to preclude the majority party from "compromising" during negotiation and vote of the Senate bill just to get something passed, then include, "in Conference", whatever they wanted in the first place? We often hear about things stuck on bills in one of the chambers that the talking heads comment will never get through Conference. Is there some Super Super Majority needed to pass things in Conference?
Okay, now that I've displayed my ignorance and disillusioned any who may have thought me at all intelligent, I can still name all the State Capitals, the Presidents in order, and the starting line-up of the 1955 KC A's, and can count down from 100 by 7's without pausing.
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