How a Bill Becomes a Law

House of Representatives Needs to be drafted In order to be introduced a bill must have a sponsor in the House Co-sponsors – representatives who put their name on the bill in support Introduced to the hopper Box beside the clerk’s desk Assigned number that begins with H.R.

House of Representatives Referred to Committee and Sub-Committee One of two things can happen: Bill can be marked up and reported out OR: Bill can be tabled until it dies Calendared Scheduled for debate Bill read on the floor and debated on the wording Including any amendments that must be made

House of Representatives Put to a full vote “Engrossed” or modified bill is then sent to a CONFERENCE committee Voted on by BOTH Houses of Congress

Senate Almost exact copy of what happens in House of Reps w/one important change During floor reading , Senators opposed to bill can filibuster Filibuster – action to prevent voting on a bill Senators can talk for as long as they want on any topic they choose Can lead to a canceled bill to keep Senate moving

President Once a bill has been agree on by conference committee, its sent to the president One of two choices: Sign the bill into law OR Veto the bill Check on legislative branch

In Case of a Veto… 2/3rds vote of Congress is necessary to override a veto by the president If this happens, the bill still becomes a law If not, bill dies

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