Question

A nurse wishes to see a bill passed to support funding for the use of interpreters for clients with limited English proficiency. Which of the following would be the best time for the nurse to request support from the local senator, who is not on the committee that is reviewing this bill?

a. When the bill is first assigned to a committee
b. When the bill is discussed and debated within the committee
c. When the bill moves out of committee to be heard by the entire Senate
d. When the bill passes the Senate and moves to the House of Representatives

Answer 1

The best time for the nurse to seek support from the local senator is when the bill moves out of committee to be heard by the entire Senate, as garnering broad senatorial support at this stage is crucial for the bill's advancement.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse wishes to see a bill passed to support funding for the use of interpreters for clients with limited English proficiency, the best time to request support from the local senator, who is not on the committee reviewing the bill, is when the bill moves out of committee to be heard by the entire Senate.

At this stage, the bill is being prepared for a full Senate discussion, making it a critical time for gathering support from all senators. Moreover, since most bills die in committee, ensuring the bill gets past the committee is paramount before seeking broader support.

During this time, the bill is placed on the calendar for debate, and senators are formulating their positions on the bill. By engaging with the local senator before the bill is debated in the full Senate, the nurse can provide valuable information and arguments supporting the bill, potentially persuading the senator to endorse it. This is important because while committees play a significant role in shaping legislation, it is the full Senate that votes to advance the bill.