1. A Bill Becomes A Law
House of Representatives
Senate

2. What is a Bill? A bill is what a proposed law is called.

3. Before a bill can be
introduced someone must
come up with the idea.

4. Where do ideas for bills come from?
Congress members
Congressional staff
Citizens
Lobbyist
President

5. Step 2 Introducing Bill Bills can be introduced in either the House or
the Senate

6. House of Representatives
Proposed bills are written and dropped in a hopper. Then, they are given a number (HR123).

7. Step 3 Assignment to Committee
Researched and studied
Sometimes sent to subcommittee
May be pigeon-holed

8. Step 3 Assignment to Committee
Hearings are held for the public. Lobbyists testify.
Must be approved by the majority of the committee
95% of bills DIE in committee.

9. Step 4 Floor (full house)
Read and debated (amendments made)
Debate is limited
Sent to Senate (if House passes by majority vote)

10. Step 5 Sent to Senate Introduction Written and announced to Senate
Given a number (S321)

11. Step 6 Senate Sends Bill to Committee
Researched and studied.
Sometimes sent to subcommittee
May be pigeon-holed

12. Step 6 (cont.) Senate Sends Bill to Committee
Must be approved by the majority of the committee
95% of bills die in committee

13. Step 7 Senate Floor (full Senate) Read and debated Unlimited debate
(filibuster)
Must be passed by
majority vote

14. Step 8 Joint Conference Committee
Members from each house meet and resolve differences
(COMPROMISE)
Revised bill is sent back to houses for further review

15. Step 9 Final Approval
Both houses
VOTE on the compromise

16. Step 10 President Is it a law?
The President can:
Sign the bill into a law
Veto
Pocket Veto (in 10 days bill dies if Congress ends; it passes if Congress is in session)

17. Step 11 Override Veto
2/3 vote by Both houses needed to override veto