How a Bill Becomes a Law A bill may be introduced in either chamber (House or Senate). The path we will document is of a bill that begins in the House. If a bill were to start in the Senate, steps 5, 6, and 7 would precede steps 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Step 1  Introduce Bill in House. An idea becomes a bill (a proposed law) and it is introduced in the House (or Senate). We will call it H.R. 1.

Step 2  Committee Action H.R. 1 is referred to standing committee for study, hearings, revisions, and approval.

There are 20 standing committees in the HOUSE. List THREE of them in your notes. Then BRIEFLY tell me what types of bills they would deal with.

Step 3  Rules Committee The Rules Committee sets conditions for debate and amendment on the floor.

A bill must pass through many steps before it becomes law. Discuss w/ your partner: After which step do most bills die? Why do you think only a fraction of bills actually become law?

Step 4  Floor Action H.R. 1 is debated, then passed or defeated. If passed, it goes to the Senate.

Step 5  Introduced in Senate After H.R. 1 is passed by the House; S. 1 is introduced to the Senate.

Step 6  Committee Action S. 1 referred to standing committee for study, hearings, revisions, and approval.

In your notes, list THREE standing committees in the Senate. DISCUSS: Why does the Senate have fewer committees than the House?

Step 7  Floor Action S. 1 debated, then passed or defeated.

Step 8  Conference Committee Conference committee resolves differences between House and Senate versions of bill.

LOOK, READ, then DISCUSS the answer to the question below the cartoon.

LOOK, READ, then DISCUSS the answer the question below the cartoon.

Step 9  Congressional Approval House and Senate vote on final passage. Approved bill is sent to the President.

Step 10  Presidential Action The President signs or vetoes the bill or allows it to become law without signing. A vetoed bill returns to Congress; the veto may be (but seldom is) overridden.