How A Bill Becomes a Law

1. How A Bill Becomes a Law

2. Step 1 • Every Bill starts out as an idea • These ideas can come from Congress, private citizens or from the White House • Special Interest Groups may also try to influence Congress to write a Bill

3. Step 2 • Every Bill must start out and be introducedby a Congressman – either a Senator or a House Member • Every Bill is given a title and number when it is introduced – H.R.1 or S.1

4. Step 3 • After it is introduced, each Bill is then sent to the standing committee that seems most qualified to handle it.

5. Step 4 • Committees receive hundreds of Bills and they decide the life or death of these bills • Those that hold merit are sent to a subcommittee to research (public hearings may be held)

6. Step 5 • The subcommittee will report to the standing committee who will decide if the Bill should • Pass without changes • Have changes and pass it along • Replace the Bill with a alternative one • Kill the Bill

7. Step 6 • If a Bill is approved by the committee, then it is ready for consideration by the full House or the Senate. • When Bills reach the floor, the members argue their pros and cons • The Senate (only) can add riders • The Senate also allows filibusters which can only be stopped by a 3/5ths vote for cloture

8. Step 7 • When members of Congress are ready to vote they may do so by • Voice Vote • Standing Vote • Roll-call or today’s Computerized Vote • A simple majority is all that is needed to pass a Bill. If either house refuses to pass it, it dies • The Bill must be passed in identical formats in both houses – conference committees may be needed

9. Step 8 • Presidential Action is the final step • Veto: refuse to sign • Congress can override the veto with a 2/3rds vote in each house – very unlikely • Sign the Bill into Law • Do nothing for 10 days • In session – the Bill becomes a Law • Out of session – the Bill dies – POCKET VETO

10. The End