 The bill can come from many different sources: 1. Individual citizens, 2. Special interest groups 3. Corporations, 4. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)  However, only a member of Congress can introduce a bill.  A bill can start in either House. Diagram (Steps 1-5)

 Each chamber has standing committees that consider their bills.  Each committee has a chair (from the Majority) and a ranking member (from the minority).  The committee members “mark-up” (edit) the bill so it will pass on the floor.  They can also kill the bill in committee.  The bill must also pass through the House Rules Committee. Diagram (Step 6)

 If the committee passes the bill, it is sent to the whole House (or Senate) for debate and vote.  This is known as reporting the bill favorably to the floor.  The Speaker determines which bills are discussed and for how long.  Committee chairs and ranking members schedule time for other members of the House to debate the bill. Diagram (Step 7)

 When the whole House considers a Bill at once, votes are done electronically.  There is usually a role call vote.  Votes can be taken be taken orally (“yeas and nays”).  However, there is almost always debate before the Representatives can vote on the bill.  A bill needs a majority (Half +1) of votes to pass. Diagram (Steps 8-9)

 If the Bill is sent to the Senate, it has to be referred to the appropriate standing committee.  These committees hold hearings and make changes to the bill.  If the bill passes committee, the members can report the bill to the Senate floor. Diagram (Steps 10-12)

 The Senate Majority Leader determines which bills are scheduled, when and for how long.  Unlike the House, debate in the Senate is unlimited.  As such, Filibusters can be used to block bills. (Most always by the minority party).  (Filibuster: Basically, talking a bill to death)  3/5 (or 60 votes) of the Senate are needed to end a Filibuster (this is called cloture).  A simple majority is needed in both Houses to pass the bill (50% + 1 more vote).  In the Senate: 51 senators needed to pass the bill.  218 votes were needed in the House. Diagram (Steps 13-14)

 Because the House and the Senate can make changes to each other’s bills, any differences must be agreed upon and made into one bill..  To fix changes, the bill is considered by a conference committee, made up of both House and Senate members.  They negotiate and compromise, and they send the combined bill back to both houses.  The revised bill has to be passed through the House and the Senate again. Diagram (Step 14-b)

 Once the bill passes both Houses, the president can sign the bill if he wants it to become law.  The president can also include signing statements that tell how the law should be enforced.  If the president does not like the legislation, the bill can be vetoed or rejected.  The president can also choose to do nothing.  If Congress is in session, the bill becomes law after 10 days.  If Congress is not in session, the bill dies after 10 days.  This is called a pocket veto. Diagram (Step 14-a)

 If the president vetoes the bill, both Houses can reconsider the bill. Two-thirds (67%) of both Houses are needed to override the President’s veto.  In the House: 290 needed for override.  In the Senate: 67. Needed for override  If the president signs the bill, it is a federal law that each state must follow.