There Oughta Be A Law

Oh wait, there is!

It's called the Affordable Care Act.

I was confused for a moment because Republicans keep saying we need to "delay this bill," "defund this bill," or "we don't want this bill." Apparently they weren't paying attention when Schoolhouse Rock covered the subject in the episode titled "I'm Just A Bill."

Short version: A bill is proposed legislation. Once a bill has been passed by both houses of congress and signed by the President it becomes law. It's no longer a bill.

You would think that professional politicians might actually know some of the basics of American politics - especially when we had it drilled into us as elementary schoolers. Here's a refresher course.

Schoolhouse Rock : I'm Just A Bill

I'm just a bill
Yes, I'm only a bill
And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill
Well, it's a long, long journey
To the capital city
It's a long, long wait
While I'm sitting in committee
But I know I'll be a law someday
At least I hope and pray that I will
But today I am still just a bill

I'm just a bill
Yes, I'm only a bill,
And I got as far as Capitol Hill
Well, now I'm stuck in committee
And I'll sit here and wait
While a few key Congressmen discuss and debate
Whether they should let me be a law
How I hope and pray that they will
But today I am still just a bill

I'm just a bill
Yes, I'm only a bill
And if they vote for me on Capitol Hill
Well, then I'm off to the White House
Where I'll wait in a line
With a lot of other bills
For the president to sign
And if he signs me, then I'll be a law
How I hope and pray that he will
But today I am still just a bill