ABSTRACT
The synfuels measure has a more complicated legislative history. In the House, synfuels legislation normally would have been handled by the Energy and Power Subcommittee of the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee. In theory, Congress is the sole legislative branch of the government. In practice, however, it shares legislative responsibility with the executive branch, to some degree paralleling the relationship of the Diet and cabinet. Regardless of its original source, after a bill has been drafted and phrased in correct legal form, it may be introduced either in the Senate or in the House. As in Japan, most major bills enacted into law tend to originate in the executive branch although the measures are subject, of course, to delay, defeat, or drastic amendment by either house of Congress. The committees provide the setting for the most intensive study of legislative proposals; they also are a major avenue for public access to the process.
