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Decoding the Legislative Journey: How a Bill Evolves into Law

Unveil the intricate process of how an idea transforms into law through congressional procedures, debates, and presidential decisions. Understand the critical steps from drafting to final approval.

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Decoding the Legislative Journey: How a Bill Evolves into Law

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  1. How a Bill Becomes a Law Mr. Marinello * Fall 2013

  2. The Bill is Written • Anyone can generate the ideas that become bills • Interest groups • Citizens • The President • Members of Congress • Bills are written by members of Congress • Placed in “The Hopper” • Assigned a bill number • HR 100

  3. Assigned to Sub-Committee • Each Chamber has committees • 22 in the House • 15 in the Senate • Each committee has sub-committees • Bills are referred to sub-committees • Hearings are held • Voted on • Referred to the whole committee

  4. Voted on by Committee • After reviewing the information from the sub-committee, the whole committee votes. • This step is seen as a key hurdle for the bill • It can be passed by the committee • It can “die” in committee • Never be brought to a committee vote

  5. House Senate • There is no equivalent committee in the Senate. • The bill is simply referred to the whole chamber. • After the bill is out of committee it is referred to the Rules Committee. • Sets the terms of the debate. • Refers to full House

  6. Floor Debate • The bill is debated and amended by the process that is specific to each chamber. • In the House there is a limited amount of debate • In the Senate there is technically, unlimited debate • Filibuster • Longest filibuster – Strom Thurmond (D-SC) 24 hours, 18 minutes • Civil Rights Bill

  7. Approved by both Houses • Once the House or Senate approved a bill it is referred to the other chamber • If either chamber passes a bill that is different from the other, the differences must be reconciled. • Conference Committee • Each chamber’s leadership appoints “Conferees” • The goal of this committee is to make sure the two bills have identical language. • Refer the bill back to each chamber

  8. Voted on by Both Houses • Each chamber takes up the conference bill • They must pass the bills in order for it to move forward • This way one bills comes out of the Congress • Referred to the President

  9. Presidential Approval • The President can either sign the law. • Or veto it. • Pocket veto – Not doing anything to a bill when Congress is going to recess.

  10. Veto Override • If the Congress disagrees with President it can vote to override his veto. • 2/3 vote of each house. • Then the bill becomes a law.

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