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SENATE
ENACTMENT OF A LAW
By Robert B. Dove
Parliamentarian, United States Senate
Updated February 1997

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DOCUMENT BY SECTION

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• Contrasting Procedures of the Senate and the House

• Forms of Legislative Business

• Origins of Legislation

• Beginning a Daily Session of the Senate
  • Calendar and Legislative Days
  • Morning Hour and Morning Business
  • Presenting Measures

• Motions, Quorums, and Votes
  • Motions
  • Quorums
  • Voting

• Senate Officials on the Floor

• Senate Committee Consideration

• Committee Rules

• Committee Reports

• Considering Measures on the Senate Floor

• The Amendment Process

• Final Passage

• Engrossment and Transmittal to the House

• House Committee Consideration

• House Floor Action

• Messages and Amendments Between the Houses
  • Senate Action on House Amendments
  • Bills Originating in the House

• Conference Committees and Reports

• Senate and House Action on Conference Reports

• Signatures of Speaker and Vice President

• Presidential Action -- Approval or Veto

• The Congressional Budget Process

• Executive Business and Executive Sessions
  • Executive Matters Generally
  • Nominations
  • Treaties
  • Amendments, Reservations, and Other Statements
  • Ratification of Treaties

Last Update Tues Feb 11 1997