United States – -(AmmoLand.com)- With the 117th Congress in session, there will be a flurry of legislation introduced. But what exactly does an introduced measure do? What do those combinations of letters and numbers in front of a bill mean?
For starters, any Senator or Representative can introduce a piece of legislation. For the most part, they will be numbered in the order received – a bill with a lower number was introduced earlier in the Congress than one with a higher number. But different items of legislation do different things. Here’s a quick rundown of the four types of legislation that you will most often see discussed:
Bills
These are the potential laws that are introduced. In the House, bills are given numbers in the HR series, while Senate bills are given numbers in the S series. To become a law, they must pass the House and Senate, then usually go to a conference committee, and be signed by the President or passed with a two-thirds majority to override a veto.
Resolutions
These are measures passed by one of the houses of Congress, often to make a statement. They have the H. Res. prefixes in the House of Representatives and S. Res. in the Senate. One item to note: In the House of Representatives, rules to govern debate on legislation are House Resolutions and get the H. Res. Prefix.
Concurrent Resolutions
These are measures based by both houses of Congress, often for the purposes of making a statement. In this way, they are very similar to the basic resolutions mentioned above. The president has no involvement in these, and they carry no force of law. The most notable concurrent resolutions are the ones that launch the federal budget each fiscal year. Ones that originate in the House of Representatives get the H. Con. Res. prefix, while those starting in the Senate have the S. Con. Res prefix.
Joint Resolutions
A joint resolution is like a bill in some ways. It needs passage by both the House and Senate, and approval by the President (or an overridden veto) to become law. Unlike bills, they don’t change the United States Code. Instead, they are the vehicle for constitutional amendments, continuing resolutions, and constitutional amendments. Those introduced in the House get the H. J. Res. prefix, and in the Senate, the S. J. Res. prefix is used.
There will be a lot of legislation – in the 116th Congress, there were over 14,000 bills introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate. To ensure that legislation that doesn’t respect our freedoms is defeated, Second Amendment supporters should support the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action, and also back their Political Victory Fund in order to be ready for not just the legislative fights ahead, but elections in 2022 and 2024.
About Harold Hutchison
Writer Harold Hutchison has more than a dozen years of experience covering military affairs, international events, U.S. politics and Second Amendment issues. Harold was consulting senior editor at Soldier of Fortune magazine and is the author of the novel Strike Group Reagan. He has also written for the Daily Caller, National Review, Patriot Post, Strategypage.com, and other national websites.
What country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms
Thomas Jefferson 1787
“the liberties of the American people were dependent upon the ballot-box, the jury-box, and the cartridge-box; that without these no class of people could live and flourish in this country.
Frederick Douglas
MM44M,
I considered that last night, while pretending to be asleep, and decided that it wasn’t my neighbors I was concerned about, but that the police might misunderstand it as a covert cry for help and decide to help where it wasn’t needed. SWATting myself in other words.
Yup this is the time to think twice, act once. I’ve been fielding calls from friends all over the country today, both sides, and trying to talk sense into them. Some calmed down, others didn’t. We’ll see how it shakes out.
Dave, What is going on right now is the reaping of what has already been sown. The Democrat and Republican parties are both to blame. Our courts flaunt the law, our legislatures rob us blind, and our executive officers usurp powers not delegated to them or oppress us in whatever way they can. The dam is beginning to break. On local radio today there were several callers on to whine about how “There are processes if you have a grievance you want to have righted!” Not one of those retards (Including the hosts) stopped to think about how people have… Read more »
Rev, Have I mentioned that it’s good to see you again? I’m afraid that you’re right. We are on the cusp. It was probably inevitable one the government and the news inter-married. It was merely likely when the government decided that it didn’t have to follow the Constitution and could give itself whatever powers and, in its mind, authority that it desired. It could give itself power, but not authority, something our politicians should have learned in Civics class. Unfortunately most of the population never learned the difference and that is what the politicians counted on. The Right is beginning… Read more »
Yes you have… The only way this country will heal is if there is a peaceful separation of the Left and Right to form two separate countries, other than that there is no other option but bloodshed. I am also saying this knowing full well that some who claim to be on the right are about as clueless as the average left wing, latte sipping, beanie toting, skinny jeans jackwagons found in universities across our country when it comes to understanding the founding father’s system of thought. They are just as dangerous as those on the left when it comes… Read more »
TheRevelator, We’ve discussed this before and I think it is a good conversation to have – especially right now. I believe we are in agreement regarding the dystopia that will result from the ideology of the people you refer to as “the left.” As to a separation, either peaceful or violent, I don’t believe that will happen for numerous reasons. For all those people who think a “civil war,” or “revolution, or “secession” is going to happen and thought they were going to “grab their gear” (that obviously excludes body armor) and go to war with pink haired cat ladies… Read more »
JSNMGC, You are part of the problem. What you have just written is the very reason people snapped this afternoon. You are part of the disconnect. I want you to stop and reread what you just wrote. You “Dont think that….” It doesnt matter what YOU think…. Read that again, and then repeat the phrase that “You dont think” at least three times. You have zero authority or power to tell other people how to live their lives, and likewise your opinion has zero influence on those who will fight, who wont hesitate because while there may be veterans that… Read more »
I don’t claim to have any authority whatsoever and I certainly didn’t tell anyone how to live their lives.
I fully support our rights and our liberty.
The rest of what you wrote is crazy, but at least you realize who you will be fighting.
Only according to your opinion is what I wrote crazy. Likewise, I can certainly claim that you are in denial. The “left” has made the decision that anyone who disagrees with them needs to be forced into compliance, re-educated, or if not the first two then eliminated. Those are their words, not mine. That is the choice they have made. The Right, because of the Left’s choice, has a choice to stand and fight, or to lay down and let the left do whatever it will to them. Thats it.. There is no place to have a conversation on those… Read more »
My stance has been consistent: Democrat politicians want to implement never-ending gun control and most Republican politicians pretend to oppose it in general, but when it gets down to specifics, they too want to implement more gun control – just more slowly; Democrats/Socialists/Communists want to redistribute wealth, open the borders, and destroy our system of government so they can replace it with a form of totalitarianism; I don’t dismiss those who will stand firm – I just don’t believe there will be a “civil war,” a “revolution,” or a “secession” for numerous reasons. I believe there will be tens of… Read more »
You dont dismiss, but immediately follow it with a dismissal. Interesting tactic. Again, What you believe doesnt matter, what will actually happen in reality does. But for arguments sake, Lets pin you down. I want you to list every single action “You believe” the left will not do. Since you are so certain, it shouldnt be that hard. Lay out in detail exactly the process you think will foil those policies. I will pick them apart tomorrow for flaws/errors when I get home from work. Until such time, your comments divide people on the right, and those who do have… Read more »
The conversation I thought was a good idea was between you and I – not “us” and “them.” Unfortunately, you immediately took offense and started attributing views to me that are false.
How can anyone list every single action “the left” will not do? I listed several important items they will do.
Do you think the veteran who died today after being shot by armed government employees thought you were a “fence sitter” because you were not on “the battlefield” with her today?
Oh no.. If what I am attributing is false, then surely you can back up your previous statement and put your money where your mouth is. Every claim that has been leveled on you has been leveled with cause. After all, you did say you were certain about what events will or will not happen regardless of anybody else’s actions, because you “Know what is certain not to happen.” But now that you get called out on it, here comes the waffling… Hmmm… “How can anyone list every single action….” Well, boy you were sure certain before.. Why all cautious… Read more »
I don’t believe there will be a civil war, a revolution, or a secession of states. You really want me to list everything Democrats/Socialists/Communists (“the left”) will not do? That’s what you asked. There are millions of things they will not do: reduce gun control laws, reduce taxes, reduce the size of government, eliminate birthright citizenship, reduce benefits to people living in the U.S. illegally, heavily fine companies who employ people living in the U.S. illegally, refrain from engaging in unnecessary and costly foreign adventures, reduce the forced redistribution of wealth (in its many forms), stop giving money to foreign… Read more »
WE’RE NOT LOOKING AT A POSSIBLE “CIVIL WAR” WE’RE LOOKING AT THE 2ND AMERICAN REVOLUTION TO RE-ESTABLISH OUR FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS AS GIVEN TO US BY GOD ALMIGHTY AND (SUPPOSEDLY) GUARANTEED TO BE FULLY RECOGNIZED BY OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS VIA THE US CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS. JUST LIKE OUR FOUNDING FATHERS DID. JUST LIKE MY ANCESTOR/S DID FOR WHOM I’M NAMED AFTER. FWIW…I LOVED IT WHEN THEY SHOWED THE FEAR AND SHEAR TERROR IN THOSE LILY LIVERED POLITICIANS EYES YESTERDAY ON TV. THEY NEED TO FEEL MORE OF IT. THEY’VE BEEN DISHING IT OUT TO US FOR LONG ENOUGH.… Read more »
Country Boy, Thank you for your opinion. Can you provide more detail on how you believe a revolution will play out? Do you believe the revolution will be unified under a leader? What will the Secretary of Defense, the generals, and the rest of the military do? That is, will they provide equipment, training, and advice to law enforcement like they have in the past? What do you believe all the various armed federal law enforcement agencies (and departments of agencies) will do? Will the National Guard follow orders? Do you believe any State Police agencies will join the side… Read more »
I would like to know how anyone expects to right the country at this point. One thing for absolute sure is nothing is going to be fixed at the ballot box. There is no control over who is voting anymore. It seems people will have to die to right the country. It amazes me that all this talk and nobody dies. I hope I am wrong but I know better. The country will either fight for change or walk hand in hand right into China (socialism).
nod, I have run into hundreds of firearm-owning Republican voters who will not get involved in local politics. They refuse to even attend a debate that someone else has done all the work to put together (develop relationships with the candidates, gain a consensus on time & debate topics, arrange for a venue, research and develop questions designed to get candidates to commit to specific policies, take out ads in the local newspaper, go on the local radio station and promote the debate, create and distribute flyers, contact community influencers and notify them of the debate, obtain and pay for… Read more »
Interesting. You do realize that giving “I know you are but what am I” answers only reflects badly on yourself right? Also, I find it interesting that you are repeating something that I told you would be the result of sitting on the sidelines, the slow one by one targeting of individuals with the help of the media. (December 24th remember) You had brought that up before, and I pointed out that is exactly how confiscation will happen, that it wont be a mass door to door push. But sitting on the sidelines as the Media excuses and covers up… Read more »
TheRevelator, I stated my opinion about what I believe will happen with the new gun control laws. In your mind, it’s not possible that you and I merely have a different opinion. Your conclusion is that I’m not stating my opinion as part of a discussion on a discussion board, but that my purpose is to “sow division” and that I “dismiss those who stand firm” and then you go on to call me a coward and a fence sitter and continue with other points of conjecture about me rather than just discussing the topic. When I offered to have a conversation with… Read more »
No.. You did not answer the question. I did not ask what would happen, I asked you what it was that Gun owners would do that you said would “Foil” the left’s actions, to state concretely words you can be held accountable for IF you are wrong. The secondary question was to ask Why that action WOULD foil the left. You have now repeatedly refused to answer this question. You have dodged, you have tried to change the subject, and you have tried to make accusations at me all to avoid answering this simple little question. THAT is why you… Read more »
Ok, I won’t continue the conversation with you. I will state one last time what I believe (that is, what my opinion is): Work on state legislation to mitigate the effect of federal laws (just like some states have done with marijuana laws). You asked what direct, concrete, measurable action we can take – if no one in your state is working on that legislation, you could identify a pro 2nd amendment legislator in your state and convince him/her to work with you on creating the legislation. That’s what I did. Ostracism may be effective to encourage LEOs to act… Read more »
I figured you wouldnt. Sorry, but that is why I went after you, and will continue to call you out if you try to engage with me. If you are going to make a statement that your method works, SHOW YOUR WORK. As it stands right now, the process you advocate is the same failed one that has led us here, allowing the left to slowly get piece by piece of what they want and weakening the safeguards to the Consitution. It’s why many members left the NRA because they got tired of the backstabbing compromises La’Pierre was trying to… Read more »
Now, since I got that out of the way, Will you finally answer the question I asked originally.
What direct, concrete, measurable action is there that we can take(That you have said you know of) that will foil the actions the left will take?
Got that? After you answer that, that is when we can talk about what the left will or wont do. Stop avoiding the question and give an answer, or admit its something you are afraid to do(Which is why I made that meme about you).
See above – it’s been answered before.
AGREED. I WILL DIE ON MY FEET BEFORE I’LL LIVE ON MY KNEES
It wouldnt just be one coast or the other. Our nation is made up of individual states. Below your Comment will notice “Patriot Solutions”. Keeping in mind I have been here far longer than him and have a track record that is unbroken, I have no problem telling him he is full of it. A split would likely happen based on a state by state basis, even down to the county level. Michigan as an example, the southern section of the state is largely left leaning, The lower peninsula would likely be split with the upper section forming a new… Read more »
AMEN!
CB,
Your CAPSLOCK is stuck on. Turn it off, shouting is rude and gains you nothing.
So here is the deal. We have some people who think having discussions is going to solve things. “If we just talk to them, they will have to understand they cant do anything to us. That solves all our problems.” The idea that talking to law enforcement will somehow stop them from doing what they will be ordered to do is ludicrous. There is a difference between recognizing that not all law enforcement stand with the law enforcement that do want to come in and oppress us. There are two different sides in the law enforcement community. The ones who… Read more »
Lets not hold our breath any more, nor talk any more. All of us wherever we are, must organize. Now is the time to establish a secure network and form and gather militias with a cohesive strategy and leadership with the will to fight for freedom and liberty once again. If I may, check out this man; Dr Ingatius Piazza for a start.
My bad, It’s Dr. Ignatius Piazza
Yes founder of Front Sight; yes a follower and provider of skilled training techniques