How a Bill Becomes a Law

Pair Share: If you could create any law for the United States, what would it be?

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Propose a Bill First, someone has to come up with an idea for a new bill Then, they call their representative to get a sponsor.

Introduced to Congress A bill can start in either the House or the Senate. But, a tax law must start in the house. The bill is given a number and is entered into Congressional records.

Committee… The bill is assigned to the proper committee to be debated and changed to the Congressmen’s liking.

Subcommittees… Then, it can go to a subcommittee to be looked at by specialist.

Reporting… The committee writes a report on the bill that will get presented on the floor. The bill gets put on a calendar to wait its turn to be voted on.

On the floor… The bill is considered on the house floor. More amendments can be added

On the floor… A filibuster can be used to delay or prevent Senate action. The tactic is to talk a bill to death while preventing the bill from going to a vote.

Time to vote… Now, it is ready to be put to vote. The members must vote yea, nay, or present

To the Senate… If the bill passes in the House, it moves on to follow the same process in the Senate.

To the White House… If both houses approved the bill, it goes to the conference committee to make the bills match. Then, its off to the White House!

Becoming a law… The President can sign the bill to make it law.

Vetoed… Or, the President can veto the bill Or, the bill will become law by remaining unsigned. (as long as Congress is in session)

Overridden… If the president vetoes the bill, it can be overridden by a 2/3 majority vote of each house.

Video Clip: I’m Just a Bill

Wrap-Up Why do you think there are so many steps to pass legislation? What are the positives and negatives of this process