The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-05-19
OwG0Uernmeut
How 1t Operates
By William Braek47
HOW CONGRESS
FUNCTIONS

TIE galleries for visitors In the
i chambers of the senate and the
house are situated so as 20 give the
maximum view for everyone. bur that
necessitated placing them on a level
quite above the floors where the SEN
ators or the representatives have their
seats That circumstance does not
always permit a proper understanding
of debate. Many visitors 90 away
from the Capital. therefore, with an
impression that enactment Of legisla-
ton Is far too complex and intricate
for the mind of the lay person to CON-
prehend.
It is unfortunate that this condition
prevails, but IL Is not the only reason
why those seeing the house or the
senate in session for the first time fail
10 understand what is happening.
They see only a part Of the whole
picture Of the legislative function
They lack a knowledge Of the rules Of
the game. and they are not conyersani
with what has gone before.
The house and senate are on a par
in dealing with the bulk Of the laws
that 90 on our statute books. but each
body has certain functions reserved
70 IL and with which the other one
has. and can have, no concern The
house. by direction Of the Constitu-
ton must originate all laws that raise
revenue. those that tax you and me-
and IL also must start all laws-they
are bills while In the legislative ma
chinery - making appropriations Of
public moneys. The senate could
start them. of course. out would not
mean anything. The senate. however
was given certain specific duties by
the Constitution also. No treaties
with foreign nations are operative
until approved by the senate. II like
wise has the final say-so respecting
nearly all appointments to Office made
by the President
II was suggested above that II the
visitor wanted TO see the start Of the
talking picture, he would have TO at
tend another theater. That other the
alter is the committee room. There are
AZ of these committees in the house
and "a In the senate. They are per
manenf committees Special commit
tees are constantly being named TO do
a specific Job not readily susceptible
of being handled by one Of the stand
ing committees. such as an investiga-
ton. In these committees is where
the bulk of the work Is done; where
the grain is threshed.
The regular and usual procedure.
therefore. is that a representative VIII
introduce a bin in the house. or a
senator viii Introduce one in the sen
ate. Frequently. the same text of
measure viii appear simultaneously In
each body. The rules provide for
reference of the bin TO the committee
having jurisdiction. The committee
has a regular meeting day; the new
bin Is taken up. Usually with only
members of the committee present
and il is talked over informally. IF II
be Of great consequence the committee
win order that hearings be held so
that those favoring the proposed law
may state its merits and that those op-
posed TO IL may voice their opposition
and point out weaknesses In the bill
Sometimes those hearings win cen
time day after day over several weeks
As a general rule. witness before
a committee win be allowed 20 tel his
story, TO state his views. without In
terruption. When his statement is
finished. however. the committee mem.
bers have their fling. Questions are
not always designed TO be fair. nor
are they always aimed TO bring out
things which the witness desires TO
admit II all depends on whether the
committee member views the subject
from the same angle. In consequence
the stenographic record of testimony
that always Is taken sometimes makes
literature akin 70 comedy, for wit
nesses have a tendency TO go too far:
to leave themselves vulnerable to op
position criticism by overlooking weak
nesses In their own statements. or BY
deliberate misrepresentation Of facts
Having taken all Of the testimony
that is offered. the committee again
works behind closed doors. Not being
under the necessity to watch out for
the political effect Of what they say
they talk frankly about the PROPOSE
ticn before them. and reach an agree
want cor,af;v,oc fp<orv,oI1r cov,o%;roos
by record vote. as to the course they
win follow. In most cases. the bin
as II was sent TO the committee needs
correcting. Amendments to accomplish
the purposes desired are drafted. with
the advice of experts employed BY the
house and senate for that purpose, and
in final form. IL the majority of the
committee so votes the bin Is ordered
TO be reported to the house with the
Recommendation that the bin do pass
or to the senate. If it be a senate com
mittee.
The fact that the bin has been sent
back to the house or TO the senate BY
one of its committees does NOT mean
that IT ever win see the light Of day
figuratively speaking Indeed. the
chances are about $3.50 that il never
win receive attention In the senate
and they are about ten TO one thai
nothing more win be heard Of II If II
was reported In the house by q COM
mittee Of that body. Each house has
calendar Of business and when
bin Is reported. its members and title
Is entered on that calendar. there TO
await further attention or possibly