The sponsor of the bill introduces it by handing it over to the clerk of the house. The clerk then mumbers the bill and gives it a title. It is the written in the House journal and in the record of the Congress. Often, the bill is known by the name of the legislator who introduces it.
This procedure is called the first reading (Walston, 2002). After the first reading, the House speaker assigns the bill to the relevant committee. The committee then studies the bill by listening to the testimony of experts or interest groups.Its contents and possible ramifications are considered. In some cases, the study is conducted by a subcommitee.
The committee can revise or release the bill by reporting it out or laying it aside which means the House cannot vote on it. Before the bill goes to the House for consideration, it is placed on one of the five specific calendars: house calendar for public bills, union calendar, private calendar, discharge calendar or consent calendar. The Rules Committee may limit debate or call for quick action on the bill (Walston, 2002).The second reading of the bill marks the beginning of consideration of the house. The third reading is done after any ammendments have been added. If the bill passes a simple majority, it goes to the Senate.
In the senate again the bill is introduced by a senator. The presiding officer of the Senate who is the vice president assigns the proposed law to a committee for further study. The committee or one of its subcommittee studies the bill and holds hearings if necessary. The committee can approve, revise or table the bill.When there is no further discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of the bill, the senate votes (Walston, 2002). After both houses agree, the bill is revised by members of both houses before it is passed to the President.
It is then printed by the government printing office in a process called enrolling. The speaker signs the enrolled bill followed by the vice president. Finally the Congress sends the proposed legislation to the White house for the President's consideration (Walston, 2002).The president can approve, veto or take no action on the bill.
If he or she agrees with it, he or she just signs and dates it. If the bill is vetoed by the president, it is sent back to the house with explained objections. It is then reconsidered and if two thirds of the members present approve it, it becomes law despite the veto. If the President decides to ignore the bill, it is given ten days Sunday not included and thereafter becomes a law without his or her signature.When it becomes law, it is given a number that indicates which Congress passed it (Walston, 2002).
This method for passing laws employs a number of safeguards to ensure that the proposed law is in the best interest of the people and not a product of the control or personal agenda of the executive branch or one of the houses of Congress. Similarly, the president acts almost as a backstop to intervene when it is believed that Congress has not acted in the best interest of the public when passing a law (Walston, 2002).I support the legislation because medical marijuana is very effective in easing the final months of people with cancer. If marijuana can help these patients, it is ethically wrong for federal agents to interfere with that if the doctor recommends it. I would issue my stand on the issue by writing an open letter to my Congressman petitioning him to support the bill.
In this letter, I would cite the importance of medical marijuana to patients. I would also include a number of testimonies from people who medical marijuana has helped.
