Legislative Process: How a Bill Becomes a Law

Introduction Ideas for bills come from citizens, President, members of Congress, or special-interest groups Bills may only be introduced/sponsored by a member of Congress. Appropriations bills must start in the House. Bills are drafted and given a number and dropped in a hopper - box into which a proposed legislative bill is dropped and thereby officially introduced

Committee Action Bill is sent to the appropriate standing committee. May also be sent to subcommittee Committees research, revise, and debate bills Choices: Reject it immediately Pigeonhole it Approve it

Floor Debate Bill debated in the house that introduced it. Very strict rules for debate in the House of Representatives. Fewer rules for debate in the Senate. Filibuster -prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action Cloture - a procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote. If approved, the bill goes to the other house for approval.

Conference Committee Joint committee made up of members from both houses. Job: Create a compromised version of revised bills. Both houses must agree on changes. Conference committee: members of both houses revising the bill

Presidential Action Approval: Sign bill into law Bill becomes law without signature Keeps bill for 10 days, Congress IN session Rejection: Veto – Stop a bill from becoming law Pocket veto Keeps bill for 10 days, Congress NOT in session