6 Steps in Bill Becoming a Law

Step 1 - Introduced 1 st Reading of bill 1 st Reading of bill Can only be introduced by member of Congress Can only be introduced by member of Congress President or citizen’s influence President or citizen’s influence

Step 2 – Sent to Committee Workload of Congress occurs in committees Workload of Congress occurs in committees Hold Hearings / Research / Testimonies Hold Hearings / Research / Testimonies What happens if bill passes… What happens if bill passes… Markup sessions (changes) Markup sessions (changes) Actions by committee: Actions by committee: Kill Kill Amend Amend Pass (goes to step 3) Pass (goes to step 3) Table or Ignore Table or Ignore

Step 3 – Sent to Floor Goes back to entire house Goes back to entire house 2 nd reading 2 nd reading Has earned Committee support Has earned Committee support

Step 4 - Debated Senate – filibuster or threat Senate – filibuster or threat Make changes / amend Make changes / amend

Step 5 - Vote Need a majority to pass (quorum) Need a majority to pass (quorum) Types of Votes: Types of Votes: Voice Voice Standing Standing Teller Teller Record Record

Step 6 – Other House / President Must pass both houses in the identical format before going to President Must pass both houses in the identical format before going to President Presidential Actions on Bill: Presidential Actions on Bill: Sign bill into law Sign bill into law Keep bill for 10 days – don’t sign – then it becomes law Keep bill for 10 days – don’t sign – then it becomes law Veto Veto Goes back to Congress and they can overturn Veto by a 2/3 vote Goes back to Congress and they can overturn Veto by a 2/3 vote