# Eric Cantor thinks we can pass a bill through just the the House? Would that it were so! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 2, 2011, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924 "2011-04-02T07:23:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/41 "2011-04-06T18:05:21Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > An inside-the-Beltway person I know literally could not believe this was happening–thought there _had_ to be an April Fool’s joke in here somewhere. That’s exactly what I thought it was. My question for Mr. Cantor. What is the specific passage in the US Constitution that would allow HR 1 to become law without being passed by the Senate and signed by the President. (Or lying on his desk for ten days (excluding Sundays) after not having been passed by the Senate.) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/42 "2011-04-06T18:06:29Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > The House of Lords allowed it in 1911. Lords who were not elected, and whose rights and privileges as lords would not be abolished if the chamber was. I think the US Senate would have a different opinion on the question. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/43 "2011-04-06T19:45:36Z")
I like that the Democrats are pointing out Republican stupidity. Have they done this before, and I’ve just not noticed (since I don’t follow that closely)? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/44 "2011-04-06T20:11:28Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > My question for Mr. Cantor. What is the specific passage in the US Constitution that would allow HR 1 to become law without being passed by the Senate and signed by the President. (Or lying on his desk for ten days (excluding Sundays) after not having been passed by the Senate.) There isn’t one, and Eric Cantor never said there was. As silly as his proposal is, it is not an attempt to make law without the consent of the Senate and the President. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/45 "2011-04-06T20:16:54Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > There isn’t one, and Eric Cantor never said there was. As silly as his proposal is, it is not an attempt to make law without the consent of the Senate and the President. I thought the Republican leadership promised to "include a clause [on all bills] citing the specific constitutional authority upon which the bill is justified.” ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/46 "2011-04-07T03:50:08Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I thought the Republican leadership promised to "include a clause [on all bills] citing the specific constitutional authority upon which the bill is justified.” If they are anything like Democrats, everything falls under the General Welfare Clause so it should be pretty easy. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/47 "2011-04-07T11:54:09Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > If they are anything like Democrats, everything falls under the General Welfare Clause so it should be pretty easy. Otherwise known as: [IOKIARDI](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=IOKIARDI). ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/48 "2011-04-07T14:23:42Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > There isn’t one, and Eric Cantor never said there was. As silly as his proposal is, it is not an attempt to make law without the consent of the Senate and the President. Yes, he did, and yes, it is. [The bill says so explicitly:](http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h112-1255) [QUOTE=HR 1255] If the House has not received a message from the Senate before April 6, 2011, stating that it has passed a measure providing for the appropriations for the departments and agencies of the Government for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, the provisions of H.R. 1, as passed by the House on February 19, 2011, are hereby enacted into law. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/49 "2011-04-07T22:29:14Z")
But the Senate has to pass HR 1255, and the President has to sign or ignore it. Nothing would become law simply because the House said so. So no, he didn’t say it, and no, it isn’t an attempt to make law without the consent of the Senate and the President. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/50 "2011-04-07T22:30:29Z")
So why did he say it? He’s either a moron or a liar, there just isn’t any middle ground. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/51 "2011-04-07T22:52:24Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > So why did he say it? Because he was describing the contents of the “Government Shutdown Prevention Act” (HR 1255), not making a general claim about what will happen if the Senate doesn’t act. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/52 "2011-04-07T22:55:18Z")
So does that make him a moron, or a liar? ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/53 "2011-04-07T23:23:22Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > So does that make him a moron, or a liar? It’s the age-old paradox with Republicans, ain’t it? ---
**Author:** ![julius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecd19e/32.png) [@julius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/julius)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/54 "2011-04-08T14:06:24Z")
I am ashamed to have Eric Cantor’s name affiliated with Virginia. Before the The November 2010 election, all emphasis was on jobs, jobs, jobs. 800 billion dollar tax break for the rich. and program cuts for the poor.(Unbelievable) Where is the taxation without representation Tea-Party? No one represents the poor. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/55 "2011-04-08T14:16:35Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > I’d rather they have their chance to screw things up royally, like the UK House of Commons, and then be swept out completely when things fall apart. That’s what I was consoling myself with all though the Bush administration. It really doesn’t seem work that way. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/56 "2011-04-08T15:10:01Z")
[QUOTE=HR 1255] If the House has not received a message from the Senate before April 6, 2011, stating that it has passed a measure providing for the appropriations for the departments and agencies of the Government for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, the provisions of H.R. 1, as passed by the House on February 19, 2011, are hereby enacted into law. [/QUOTE] > [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > But the Senate has to pass HR 1255, and the President has to sign or ignore it. Nothing would become law simply because the House said so. > > So no, he didn’t say it, and no, it isn’t an attempt to make law without the consent of the Senate and the President. But if HR 1255 were passed by the Senate, and signed by the President (or left on his desk, blah, blah blah), according to HR 1255, **HR 1** would become law without passing the Senate. (hypothetically) ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/57 "2011-04-08T15:58:33Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > But if HR 1255 were passed by the Senate, and signed by the President (or left on his desk, blah, blah blah), according to HR 1255, **HR 1** would become law without passing the Senate. (hypothetically) AIUI, passage of HR1255 in the Senate would, through the language of HR1255, deem HR1 to be passed in the Senate as well. It’s usually phrased differently, but that’s the legal way HR1 would become law. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924/58 "2011-04-08T16:08:42Z")
> [@xenophon41](#): > > AIUI, passage of HR1255 in the Senate would, through the language of HR1255, deem HR1 to be passed in the Senate as well. It’s usually phrased differently, but that’s the legal way HR1 would become law. Sounds like a virus Trojan to me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924.md?page=2)