GOV 310L Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Pocket Veto, Cloture, North American Free Trade Agreement
Document Summary
Great majority of bills die in the committees. 2nd rule is amendments: no non-germane amendments. Rules committee controls what can be done about each bill. Uncontrolled debate: designed to let minority obstruct majority, possible because there is no rule committee. Way to stop a filibuster is a cloture vote, but u need 60 votes. Filibuster allows a minority of 41 senators to bring us gov"t to complete halt. In order to allow themselves to paralyze the american gov"t in the future, the majority convinces the minority to paralyze the gov"t today. Filibuster is one of dramatic ways to prevent anything being done in congress. If there"s filibuster, there will be two houses. Doesn"t sign it: 10 days after the bill is passed if congress is still in session and it passes without a signature. Veto it: kills the bill unless each house passes bill again by 2/3 majority.
