Walk Down Civics Memory Lane: Navigating through the Legislative and Appropriations Process

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Walk Down Civics Memory Lane Navigating through
the Legislative and Appropriations Process
Prepared by the Council for Exceptional Children
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Words to Consider

• One voice can change a room, and if it can
  change a room, it can change a city, and if it
  can change a city, it can change a state, and if
  it can change a state, then it can change a
  nation, and if it can change a nation, it can
  change the world.
• - Barack Obama

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Civics 101 Why its important to be informed

• Knowing how the process works helps you
• Navigate your way through the system.
• Helps you understand how to use your time most
  effectively.
• Communicate effectively with members of Congress
  and their staff.
• Better inform your network and makes you a better
  advocate.

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How the Legislative Process Works
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How a Bill Becomes Law
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How a Bill Becomes Law
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How a Bill Becomes Law
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Photo of Democratic Amendments to ESEA

• House of Representatives, February 2012

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Getting to the Presidents Desk
Measures must pass the House and Senate in
identical form before being presented to the
President.
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Getting to the Presidents Desk
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Your Signature, Please
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The Budget Process
This is the first step in deciding program
funding amounts

• During the year prior to the year in which the
  fiscal year
• begins
• April June Agencies begin budget requests
• July August Office of Management and Budget
  provides guidance to agencies
• Early fall Agencies submit initial budget
  request to OMB
• Nov. Dec. OMB, President review requests

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The Budget Process (cont.)

• By first Monday in Feb. President submits
  budget to Congress
• February September Congressional phase.
• By July 15 President submits mid- session
  review to Congress
• October 1 Fiscal year begins
• October September OMB apportions funds
  to agencies

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The Budget Process (cont.)

• February September Congressional phase.

You Are Here!
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Navigating through the Appropriations Process
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Lets Work it Out
Sent to President
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Realistic Plans???
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Shutdown?
Minibus??
Omnibus??
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Key Terms

• Fiscal Year October 1 through September 30
• Mandatory Spending Spending (budget authority
  and outlays) controlled by laws other than annual
  appropriations acts.
• Discretionary Spending Spending controlled by
  the annual appropriations acts
• Continuing Resolution provides budget authority
  for Federal agencies and programs to continue in
  operation until the regular appropriations acts
  are enacted.

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• Resources for this presentation
• Congressional Deskbook 2005-2007
• www.senate.gov
• www.house.gov