How a Bill Becomes a Law

1. How a Bill Becomes a Law

2. A Baby Bill Grows Up Bill – a proposed law Where do bills come from? A bill can start in either the House or the Senate or in both simultaneously

4. Questions • Why is there a need for a Conference Committee after a bill has been passed by both houses? • A Conference Committee resolves differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill • How can Congress secure passage of a bill vetoed by the President? • Congress can override the veto by a 2/3 vote in each house

5. Process: Step 1 The Bill is introduced in the House

6. Process: Step 2 The Bill is debated and voted upon on the House Floor (need a Quorum)

7. Process: Step 3 The Bill is considered by a committee in the House (Most bills die here!!!)

8. Process: Step 4 The Bill is introduced in the Senate

9. Process: Step 5 The Bill is considered by a committee in the Senate

10. Process: Step 6 The Bill is debated and voted upon on the Senate Floor Filibuster/Cloture

11. Process: Step 7 ConferenceCommittees are for House and Senate negotiators to work out the final shape of legislation, resolving differences between the two chambers The Bill goes to Conference Committee

12. Process: Step 8 Congress reapproves the Bill

13. Process: Step 9 The Bill goes before the President He can: Sign Veto Pocket Veto