HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW

435 100 Senate Standing Committee Standing Committee Hearings Hearings House of Representatives Senate Standing Committee Standing Committee Hearings (Public / Private) Committee Action Hearings (Public / Private) Debate, Amend, Vote Debate, Amend, Vote Rules Committee Floor Action Full House Floor (Debate, Amend, Vote) (Limited according to Rules) Full Senate Floor (Debate, Amend, Vote) (Filibuster / Cloture) Conference Committee House Re-Vote Senate Re-Vote

(Limited according to Rules) (Filibuster / Cloture) Full House Floor (Debate, Amend, Vote) (Limited according to Rules) Full Senate Floor (Debate, Amend, Vote) (Filibuster / Cloture) Conference Committee House Re-Vote Senate Re-Vote President Sign – bill becomes law Veto – see below Do Nothing – see below Legislation needs a simple majority (50% + 1 vote) to pass each chamber: House – 218 Senate – 51 Veto Bill is sent back to the original chamber for a veto over-ride (needs two-thirds vote) House – 292 Senate – 67 If the president does nothing: 10 Day Waiting Period Congress in Session – bill becomes law Congress not in Session – bill dies (pocket veto)

Exit Ticket Why do you think the framers of the Constitution made the process of making laws so difficult?