How a Bill Becomes a Law The untold story

The Beginning Any member of Congress is permitted to introduce a piece of legislation This legislation goes from the House of Representatives to the Senate In the Senate the bill is introduced and if there are any objections, the bill is postponed and looked at the next day.

The Bill is then Branded The bill is then given a number, and labeled with a sponsor’s name. It is sent to the government printing office, where copies of the bill are made.

It goes to the committee The bill is then reviewed in front of a committee The committee comments the bill’s merit The bill can be assigned to a sub-committee Hearings are held by the sub-committee Subcommittees report the findings Vote of the full committee

But wait, There’s more The committee holds a mark-up session where it makes the revisions or additions for the bill A report is written by the committee staff on why they favor the bill

To the Floor The bill then goes to the floor of both the House and the Senate The House: The bill is placed on one of four calendars, and waits its turn to be discussed The Senate: The bill is also placed on a calendar.

The bill’s turn When it’s the bill’s turn to be looked at, it is debated in both the House and the Senate House: This debate is limited by the rules of the committee, The bill is debated and amended. After debating the bill is then voted on… Senate: This debate is unlimited: the members can speak as long as they want, and then the bill is voted on.

Conference Committees Members of each house meet and work out the differences in the bill After they reach a compromise, a report is written and sent to both the House and the Senate to be approved

To the Prez The bill goes on to the President for a final review If signed, the bill becomes a law If not signed in ten days and Congress is still in session the bill becomes a law The President may veto the bill and it is sent back to the House and Senate They may override the veto with a 2/3 vote in both houses