1. How a Bill Becomes Law

2. Less than 5% of all bills become laws. Why?
Lawmaking is long and complicated.
There can be up to 100 steps to take to pass a bill into law. Groups that oppose a bill can amend the bill or kill it at many steps along the way.
Because lawmaking has so many steps, sponsors of a bill must be willing to bargain and compromise with lawmakers and interest groups.
Bills that powerful interest groups oppose most likely will not be passed.
Members of Congress may introduce bills they know have no chance of passing just to show their support on an idea or issue to satisfy their constituents or gain media attention.
If Bill does not pass, they can blame other lawmakers and report they took action.

3. How a Bill Becomes A Law SENATE HOUSE Senator is recognized
And bill is announced
On floor
Representative hands
Bill to clerk or drops it
into “hopper”
Bill is given S
number
Bill is given HR
number
COMMITTEE ACTION
Referred to House
Standing Committee
Bill placed on
Committee Calendar
Referred to Senate
Standing Committee
Referred to House
Subcommittee; ruled on
Bill sent to subcommittee
For hearings/revisions
Referred to Senate
Subcommittee
Rules set for debate
And amendments
Standing Comm. can
recommend passage or
Kill bill
Reported on by
Standing Committee

4. COMMITTEE ACTION
In each house of Congress, the new bills are sent to the committees that deal with their subject matter.
The committee can (under the leadership of the chairperson):
Ignore the bill and simply let it die. This is called “pigeon-holing”.
Kill a bill by majority vote.
Recommend the bill be adopted without changes.
Rewrite the bill (amend)
Once the Committee decides to act, they will hold hearings to listen to testimony on those who are interested in the bill, experts, etc. so they can gather information.
After the hearings, they decide what, if any changes are needed on the bill.
They then decide to kill it or “report” it—(send it back to House or Senate with report which gives information on the bill, changes and their opinions)

5. FLOOR ACTION CONFERENCE ACTION PASS
House debates; votes
Bill passes; goes to
Senate for approval OR
A different version passes
And goes to committee
Senate debates; votes
2. Bill passes; goes to
House for approval OR
A different version passes
And goes to committee
CONFERENCE ACTION
Conference committee works out differences and send identical
Compromised bill to both chambers for final approval
House votes on
Compromised bill
Senate votes on
Compromised bill
PASS

6. Floor Action
During floor action, the bill receives a second reading of the bill section by section and after each section is read, amendments can be offered.
Opponents of the bill often propose amendments that will slow the bill down or kill it.
Amendments can only be added if the majority of the House or Senate agree.
The bill can now be voted on if a majority (quorum) of members are present.
House members vote in three ways:
Voice vote—members call out together “aye” or “no” and the Speaker decides which have most votes
Standing vote—those in favor of the votes are counted
Recorded vote—votes are recorded electronically
Senate members vote in three ways:
Roll Call—Senators call our “aye” or “no” as their names are called. *Most common

7. APPROVED BILL SENT TO PRESIDENT
PASS
APPROVED BILL SENT TO PRESIDENT
President signs bill or allows
Bill to become law without
Signing **
President vetoes bill or
PASS
VETO
Congress can override a veto
By 2/3 majority in both chambers
If either fails to override
The bill dies.
LAW