1. How a Bill Becomes a Law
The Journey of a Bill

4. Congress Makes Federal Laws
Most bills do not originate with members of Congress
Executive Branch
special interest groups/lobbyists
private citizens
All revenue-raising bills begin in the House
All other bills may be introduced in either chamber, or both House and the Senate at the same time
In a term of Congress (2 years) 10,000 bills may be introduced – maybe 500 will become law
Only a member of Congress can introduce a bill
Follow the bill as it moves through Congress

5. Types of Bills and Resolutions
proposed laws presented to Congress
Public bills
private bills
Joint Resolutions
deal with temporary or unusual matters
must be passed by both houses
must be signed by the President
Concurrent Resolutions
deal with common concerns of both houses
do not require the President’s signature
Resolutions
deal with matters concerning either house alone
house rules
do not require the President’s signature.

6. The First Reading
The bill is sent to the Clerks desk where it is printed and numbered
If it originates in the House it begins with “HR123”
If it originates in the Senate, it begins with “S 123”
The Speaker then refers the bill to the appropriate standing committee for consideration
A bill has three readings in the House of Reps.

7. The Bill is Assigned to Committee
Each House has standing committees that consider their bills.
Each committee has a chair (from the Majority) and a ranking member (from the minority).
They “mark-up” (edit) the bill so it will pass on the floor.
They can also “pigeonhole” or kill the bill in committee.
The bill must also pass through the House Rules Committee.

8. The Bill in Committee
The bill will be read by the full standing committee, they may amend, keep as it is, or “pigeonhole”it
Most bills die in committee
If a majority of the committee votes to continue, they could recommend the bill to subcommittee
Subcommittee
Investigates, debates, holds hearings and recommends the fate of bills
Measure returns to the full committee
Full Committee can take the recommendation, amend the recommendations or kill the bill
If a bill passes in committee, it has a good chance of passing the full House of Representatives
Committee sends bill to “Rules Committee”

9. The Bill in the House Rules Committee
“traffic cop”of the House Of Representatives
13 member committee is very powerful
Can attach debate rules that make it very easy for a bill to pass, or difficult to pass
If it is to be assigned “Committee of the Whole” is assigned here

10. The Bill is Reported To the Floor
If the bill is passed by the committee, it is sent to the whole House for debate and vote.
The committee has “reported the bill favorably to the floor.”
The Speaker determines which bills are discussed and for how long.
Committee chairs and ranking members give out time to debate to other members.

11. The Bill is Debated and Voted On in the House
Votes are done electronically in the House. This is a role call vote.
A tote board on the wall shows the tally. Red = oppose. Green = Agree Yellow = Abstain
Votes can be taken by voice “yeas and nays” or a “teller vote” where members file past the sergeant at arms.
Bills can be considered by the whole House at once: called “Committee of the Whole”

12. Committee of the Whole Only in the House of Representatives
Designed to speed up legislation on a bill, takes place on the floor of the House – Floor becomes a large committee
Speaker Steps down, committee chair takes over
Full House convenes into Com. Of the Whole
It reviews, discusses, amends the legislation
When completed, the floor returns to normal, Speaker resumes his role
Quorum of 100

13. Final Steps in the House of Representatives
If the bill is voted upon and passed, then it is read a third time
Bill is voted on again by the full House
Bill is then signed by the Speaker of the House
Bill is now sent to the Senate

14. The Bill Goes to the Senate
The bill is sent to the US Senate. A Senate version is written with the letter S. and a number.
As in the House, the bill is referred to the appropriate standing committee.
Committees hold hearings and make changes to the bill.
The committee sends the bill to the majority floor leader who ‘reports’ it to the floor

15. The Bill is Debated and Voted On in the Senate
The Senate Majority Leader determines which bills are scheduled, when, and for how long.
Floor debate is almost unlimited in the Senate
The Filibuster
Used by the minority to “talk a bill to death” on the Senate floor
The Cloture Rule
check on the filibuster and limits debate
requires a petition
signed by at least 16 senators
approval by at least three-fifths (60) senators

16. Both Houses Must Pass the Bill
A simple majority in both houses is needed to pass the bill (51%).
51 senators needed to pass the bill
Voice vote,
Standing vote
Roll Call vote
The Senate does not have electronic voting

17. Differences Between Houses Must Be Reconciled
Each house passes its own bill.
Any differences must be ironed out and made into one bill.
The bill is considered by a conference committee, made up of both House and Senate members.
They negotiate and compromise and send the combined bill back to both houses.
A vote on the “conference report” must be taken and passed by both Houses.

18. The Bill is Sent to the President
The president can sign the bill if he wants it to become law.
He can include “signing statements” that say how the law should be enforced or if parts will not be enforced.
The president can veto or reject the bill. He must include his reasons and recommendations for correction.
The president can choose not to act on the bill. If Congress is in session, the bill becomes law after 10 days.
If Congress is not in session, the bill dies after 10 days. This is called a “pocket veto.”

19. The Bill Becomes Law
If the president vetoes the bill, both Houses can reconsider the bill.
Two-thirds (67%) of both Houses are needed to override the President’s veto.
In the House: 369 needed for override. Senate: 67.
If president signs the bill, it is a federal law that each state must follow.