1. How A Bill Becomes a Law

2. Less than 10% of all bills become laws. Why?
Lawmaking is long and complicated.
100 steps to pass a bill into law
Bills can be delayed, changed, or killed
Sponsors of a bill must be willing to compromise with lawmakers and interest groups.
Must get lots of support to pass
Members of Congress may introduce bills they know have no chance of passing.
Attract attention from media
Satisfy powerful interest groups at home
Help with reelection (can blame other lawmakers and report they took action).

3. Step 1 Every Bill starts out as an idea
These ideas can come from Congress, private citizens, or from the White House
Special Interest Groups may also try to influence Congress to write a Bill

4. Step 2
Every Bill must be introduced by a Congressman – either a Senator or a House Member
Introducing a bill in House vs. Senate
Every Bill is given a title and number when it is introduced – H.R.1 or S.1

5. Step 3
After it is introduced, each Bill is then sent to the standing committee that seems most qualified to handle it.

6. Step 4
Committees receive hundreds of Bills and they decide the life or death of these bills
Those that hold merit are sent to a subcommittee to research (public hearings may be held)

7. Step 5
Committee meets in a markup session to make changes to the bill (if necessary)
After reviewing the Bill, the committee decides
Pass without changes
Pass it with changes
Kill the Bill

8. Step 6
If a Bill is approved by the committee, then it is ready for consideration by the full House or the Senate.
When Bills reach the floor, the members argue their pros and cons

9. Step 7 When members of Congress are ready to vote they may do so by
Voice Vote
Standing Vote
Roll-call
Recorded vote
A simple majority is all that is needed to pass a Bill. If either house refuses to pass it, it dies
The Bill must be passed in identical formats in both houses – conference committees may be needed
Sent to president

10. Step 8 Presidential Action is the final step Veto: refuse to sign
Congress can override the veto with a 2/3rds vote in each house – very unlikely
Sign the Bill into Law
Do nothing for 10 days
In session – the Bill becomes a Law

11. The End