Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/im-just-a-bill/5021742/
Remember the Schoolhouse Rock! animated shorts that were popular on Saturday morning television in the 1970s? One of the best was “I’m Just a Bill,” which personalized the story of how a law is made.I’m just a bill.
Yes, I’m only a bill.
And if they vote for me on Capitol Hill
Well, then I’m off to the White House . . .
Admit it, you’ve got the earworm going and can picture “Bill” in your mind’s eye, right? That textbook version of the lawmaking process that “Bill” described has, in recent years, been almost unrecognizable.
Irregular Order
In recent years, with the President and Congress at odds more often than not, with the two houses of Congress divided by party, and with deep divisions within both parties �" particularly between moderate and conservative wings of the Republican Party �" it has been a challenge to find common ground. Minority factions have chosen to cling to principles rather than strive for compromise. Both houses of Congress have deviated from their standing rules, and the minority in each has complained mightily, calling for a return to ‘regular order’ and an open process for developing and passing legislation.
In truth, each Congress establishes rules, and there has ...