Congress: Lawmaking, Bicameralism, Bills & Vetoes (Article I, Section 7)

Patriot Lessons: American History and Civics (Constitution, Declaration of Independence, etc.)

Review the origins and debate over the lawmaking provisions of Article I, Section 7 of the United States Constitution. Understand how bicameralism (the division of the federal legislature between the House of Representatives and the Senate) is essential for liberty and good governance for several reasons. It stops passion or corruption from running wild, which can much more easily happen in a single chamber legislative body. It also encourages a more careful and deliberate evaluation of proposed legislation, because each chamber is accountable for its work to the other chamber. It also ensures that each chamber can check the excesses and poor decision-making of the other chamber. Learn how to become law, the Constitution requires each chamber to pass precisely the same legislation. After the passage of a bill, within 10 days (excepting Sundays), the President can sign it or veto it. If the President signs the bill, it becomes law. If the President does not veto or sign the bill, it becomes law after the conclusion of the 10 day waiting period. However, if the congressional session runs out before the expiration of the 10 day period, and the President does not sign it, the bill dies with a pocket veto. Explore how the veto protects the power of the President, and it also allows the single person elected throughout the nation to address key policy issues from a national perspective. If the President vetoes the legislation, the President needs to explain to the Congress the reasons why it was vetoed. The bill is dead unless the Congress overrides the veto by a two-thirds vote in each chamber during the same legislative session. Proposals for an absolute veto and a three-quarters veto threshold were both rejected. The Constitutional Convention found that the two-thirds provision would allow the People’s representatives to act if necessary. The same process applies to legislative resolutions, orders, and other matters requiring Congress to vote, except adjournments of Congress — which are exempt from a veto. For lawmaking and resolutions, the vote of each member of Congress and the reasons for a Presidential veto must be recorded in the journal of the respective chamber, which furthers good governance and accountability. To learn more about the Constitution & Patriot Week, visit www.PatriotWeek.org. Our resources include videos, a TV series, blogs, lesson plans, and more. Read the entire original, unamended Constitution here: https://patriotweek.org/2021/07/27/the-original-constitution-september-17/ Check out Judge Michael Warren’s book America's Survival Guide, How to Stop America's Impending Suicide by Reclaiming Our First Principles and History at www.AmericasSurvivalGuide.com, amazon, or other major on-line retailers. Join us! SUPPORT: Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michael-warren9/support [donations go the nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) Patriot Week Foundation]