Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-14
VETERANS
AND DRAFTEES
BY MAI. THOMAS M. NAL

the Government toward the
burial of a deceased veteran. His
answer said three bills had beer
introduced in the House of Rep
resentatives to increase the pay.
ments. I'm wondering what
happens to the bills now?"
This letter from a Florida vet.
eran is typical of others I've re-
ceived asking what happens tc
bill after it's introduced. Most
vets know that all Federal bene-
fits must be passed by Congress
but a few are familiar with the
legislative steps of making a bill
law.
It's a complex procedure.
The first step for any bill il
its introduction by a member OF
Congress. It it's a bill on vet
Grams benefits, this generally
means that the bill is dropped
in hopper in the House of Rep
resentatives. The same day the
bill is sent to the Veterans AZ
fairs Committee for considera-
ton.
VA Makes Report
The committee then refers the
bill to the Government depart
ment which would be most af-
fected by it If it were passed
Normally, bills on veterans bene-
fits are sent to the Veterans Ad-
miniStration for its comments
and consideration.
In a few weeks, the VA sends
its report to the committee.
Then the procedure slows down
unless the bill is one which has
tremendous popular and con-
gressional support.
Normally. the committee de-
cides whether it wants to hold
hearings and hear witnesses on
the bill. For example, if a bill
would raise pensions for war vet
Grams, the committee probably
would hold hearings.
If the bill were of relatively
minor Importance. chances are
it would be referred to one of
the committees subcommittee
for consideration or hearings.
Then, the subcommittee would
send the bill back to the full
committee with its recommended
ton.
More Hearings
II the committee thinks the
bill Is a good one, it will send
it on to the House for considera-
ton. If the House passes the
bill, it's sent to the Senate.
When the bill reaches the SEN
ate, chances are it will go to one
OF two committees-labor and
public welfare or the finance
committees.
Then, unless the committee
decides against it, the same pro-
cedure on hearings. etc., which
was followed in the House will
take place in the Senate.
II the Senate passes the bill
with the same wording as the
House. it goes to the President
Tor his signature. Normally, the
President can take one of three
courses. He can veto it, sign it
or allow it to become law with
out his signature. If he vetoes
the bill the House and Senate
may pass the bill over his veto
by "a two-thirds vote in each
branch of Congress.
If the Senate passes the bill
with variations In wording from
that passed by the House, a
special committee of Representa-
tives and Senators will be set
up to iron out the differences.
Then, the bill must be passed
again by Both the House and
Senate before it's sent to the
President.
Two Limit
How long these legislative steps
take depends on the will of Con-
gress. The steps could take as lit
tie as a month or as much as two
years. TWO years is the maximum
since all bills which haven't be-
come law when a new Congress
takes over are automatically
wiped off the books.
OF course. all along the way a
bill could be bottled up for one
reason or another and never be-
come law. For example. the Vet
Grams Affairs Committee could
refuse to give approval to a bill
dIGcT HEARINGS.
The chances OF a bill failing
to become law are far higher
than they are for it to become
law. For example. in the 83d
Congress some $50 bills were in
PRODUCED in the House and only
80 became law.
fYou may Drite Mai. Mai
IN care OF The Star about
your serpice-connected prob
lem. Please inclose stamped,
selt-addressed envelope and 20
cents In coin.)
tFrom A. p. Newsfeatures.)
singers. directed by Fague
Springman. were entirely COM
petent A c1lri0sitv ne tho Score