1. How a Bill Becomes a Law
K Stafford
MBMS 2013

2. 1) A Bill is Introduced
Citizens contact their representative with an Idea
Member of Congress becomes the Sponsor and introduces it to the floor

3. 2) Committee Action
Once introduced it is given to a Standing Committee
The Committee members(Experts) Review and Revise the bill
Vote to send the bill back to the floor

4. 3) Subcommittee Hearing
If Committee members want more information, the bill is sent to a sub committee
Closely examined before it is sent back to committee for review

5. 4) Mark Up
When hearings are ended, the Subcommittee may meet to ‘mark up’ the bill
‘Mark up’- to edit the bill before sending it to committee for a vote
If the Subcommittee votes to not send the bill to the floor it dies
If the Subcommittee votes for the bill it is sent back to the floor of the chamber

6. 5) Committee Action to Report a Bill
Once a bill is approved it is sent(reported) to the chamber floor.
It is debated by the Representatives or Senators

7. 6) Debate and Voting Members debate (agree or disagree) the bill
Read Bill section by section, make changes as necessary
Next they hold the vote, if it passes it moves to the other chamber of Congress

8. 7) Referral to Senate May accept as is, ignore it or change it
Bill reaches other Chamber and goes through same process
If the bill passes it is ready for the President

9. 8)Conference Committee
Formed to solve difference between the House and Senate version of a bill
If no agreement is reached the bill dies

10. 9) Final Action If the President approves he signs it into law
If the President does nothing for 10 days and Congress is in session, it automatically becomes a law
The president can veto the bill
If the President does nothing and Congress’s session has ended the bill dies. This is called a pocket veto.

11. 10) Overriding a Veto
Congress can override a Presidents Veto, If both the Senate and the House pass the bill by a 2/3 vote