How a Bill Becomes a Law

Introduction of a Bill There are four basic types of legislation: bills; joint resolutions; concurrent resolutions; and simple resolutions. There are four basic types of legislation: bills; joint resolutions; concurrent resolutions; and simple resolutions. An idea for a bill may come from anybody, however only Members of Congress can introduce a bill. Bills can be introduced at any time the House is in session. An idea for a bill may come from anybody, however only Members of Congress can introduce a bill. Bills can be introduced at any time the House is in session. A Representative or Senator who introduces a bill becomes that bill's sponsor. A bill may also have cosponsors. A Representative or Senator who introduces a bill becomes that bill's sponsor. A bill may also have cosponsors. A bill's type must be determined. A private bill affects a specific person or organization rather than the population at large. A public bill is one that affects the general public. A bill's type must be determined. A private bill affects a specific person or organization rather than the population at large. A public bill is one that affects the general public.

Propose a Bill In the House, a proposed bill is introduced by placing it in a special box known as the "hopper," which is located at the rostrum, or speaker's platform. In the House, a proposed bill is introduced by placing it in a special box known as the "hopper," which is located at the rostrum, or speaker's platform. In the Senate, a proposed bill is introduced by placing it on the Presiding Officer's desk or by formally introducing it on the Senate Floor. In the Senate, a proposed bill is introduced by placing it on the Presiding Officer's desk or by formally introducing it on the Senate Floor.

Propose a Bill In the House, the Clerk will assign the bill a number. House bills begin with the letters "H.R.," Senate bills begin with an "S." In the House, the Clerk will assign the bill a number. House bills begin with the letters "H.R.," Senate bills begin with an "S." The first reading of a proposed bill is complete when the bill is referred to a committee for study. The first reading of a proposed bill is complete when the bill is referred to a committee for study. The Thomas Web site by the Library of Congress receives an electronic copy of the bill. The bill and its status are posted online for everyone to read. The Thomas Web site by the Library of Congress receives an electronic copy of the bill. The bill and its status are posted online for everyone to read.

Committee Action There are 19 House standing committees and 16 Senate committees. There are 19 House standing committees and 16 Senate committees. Once the bill is sent to a committee, it is placed on their calendar. Often the committee's first action on a bill is to send the bill to a subcommittee for study. Once the bill is sent to a committee, it is placed on their calendar. Often the committee's first action on a bill is to send the bill to a subcommittee for study. A committee may simply stop action or "table" a bill, when a committee decides the bill is unwise or unnecessary. A committee may simply stop action or "table" a bill, when a committee decides the bill is unwise or unnecessary. A committee will meet to markup the proposed bill and may or may not make changes to it. A committee will meet to markup the proposed bill and may or may not make changes to it. Committee members vote to accept or reject the changes. Committee members vote to accept or reject the changes. The Thomas Web site by the Library of Congress posts the status of the bill and receives updates for the latest major action on the bill taken by the Committee. The Thomas Web site by the Library of Congress posts the status of the bill and receives updates for the latest major action on the bill taken by the Committee. The text of the bill may change throughout the legislative process. Each version of a bill is posted on the Thomas Web site, under "Text of Legislation." The text of the bill may change throughout the legislative process. Each version of a bill is posted on the Thomas Web site, under "Text of Legislation."

Report by Committee The committee votes on the bill after it is debated and/or amended. The committee votes on the bill after it is debated and/or amended. The bill is then sent to the House floor for consideration. The bill is then sent to the House floor for consideration. The Thomas Web site by the Library of Congress receives updates for the status of the bill while in Committee and posts the latest major action. The Thomas Web site by the Library of Congress receives updates for the status of the bill while in Committee and posts the latest major action.

Subcommittee Once the bill is sent to a subcommittee, it is placed on their calendar for study. Once the bill is sent to a subcommittee, it is placed on their calendar for study. Subcommittees hold hearings, giving experts, supporters, and opponents a chance to voice their views. Subcommittees hold hearings, giving experts, supporters, and opponents a chance to voice their views. A bill is tabled when a subcommittee decides the bill is unwise or unnecessary. A bill is tabled when a subcommittee decides the bill is unwise or unnecessary. If changes are needed, a subcommittee will meet to markup the bill. If changes are needed, a subcommittee will meet to markup the bill. Subcommittee members vote to accept or reject the changes. Subcommittee members vote to accept or reject the changes.

Consider the Bill Floor action begins. Floor action begins. Members debate the bill. Members debate the bill. Following debate, the second reading of the bill begins in a section-by-section manner, during which amendments may be offered. Following debate, the second reading of the bill begins in a section-by-section manner, during which amendments may be offered. At the conclusion of all amendment debate, the bill is put to a vote in the House and is read a third time. At the conclusion of all amendment debate, the bill is put to a vote in the House and is read a third time. Current floor proceedings, including major actions on bills, are posted for public view by the Clerk of the House. Current floor proceedings, including major actions on bills, are posted for public view by the Clerk of the House.

Vote on a Bill The bill is read by title only and put to a vote. The bill is read by title only and put to a vote. Members in attendance will vote to pass or not to pass the bill. Members in attendance will vote to pass or not to pass the bill. Most voting in the House chamber is done electronically by Members recording their votes through the Electronic Voting System. Most voting in the House chamber is done electronically by Members recording their votes through the Electronic Voting System. Roll Call votes cast by the U.S. House of Representatives are recorded in the House Journal, the Congressional Record, and posted on the Web site of the Clerk of the House. Roll Call votes cast by the U.S. House of Representatives are recorded in the House Journal, the Congressional Record, and posted on the Web site of the Clerk of the House. Members of the Senate cast their votes by non-electronic means. Members of the Senate cast their votes by non-electronic means. Members may vote "Yea" for approval, "Nay" for disapproval Members may vote "Yea" for approval, "Nay" for disapproval

Refer to Second Chamber The bill may be sent to a committee for study or markup. The bill may be sent to a committee for study or markup. Members may choose to ignore the bill and continue to work on their own legislation. Members may choose to ignore the bill and continue to work on their own legislation. Debate in the Senate is not limited where cloture requires 60 votes. An ongoing Senate debate is known as a filibuster and is used to hold the floor and defeat a bill. Debate in the Senate is not limited where cloture requires 60 votes. An ongoing Senate debate is known as a filibuster and is used to hold the floor and defeat a bill. Members may vote to pass or not to pass the bill. Members may vote to pass or not to pass the bill. If the bill passes with different language, it must be sent to a conference committee. If the bill passes with different language, it must be sent to a conference committee. Differences must be agreed upon before the bill is sent to the President for signature. At this point the bill is "enrolled." Differences must be agreed upon before the bill is sent to the President for signature. At this point the bill is "enrolled."

Final Action The President may sign the bill into law or veto its passage. The President may sign the bill into law or veto its passage. If the president takes no action for ten days and Congress is in session, the bill becomes law. If the president takes no action for ten days and Congress is in session, the bill becomes law. A pocket veto occurs when the president takes no action and Congress has adjourned its session. In this case, the bill dies. A pocket veto occurs when the president takes no action and Congress has adjourned its session. In this case, the bill dies.

Law is Created The bill becomes a law! The bill becomes a law!

Veto The bill returns to the House of origin. The bill returns to the House of origin. Objections are read and debated. Objections are read and debated. If the House wishes to override the veto, a vote is taken. If the House wishes to override the veto, a vote is taken. If the House chooses not to vote, the bill is stalled. If the House chooses not to vote, the bill is stalled. A two-thirds vote or greater is needed in both Houses to override the President's veto. A two-thirds vote or greater is needed in both Houses to override the President's veto.

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