How A Bill Becomes a Law

Step 1 Every Bill starts out as an idea Every Bill starts out as an idea These ideas can come from Congress, private citizens or from the White House These ideas can come from Congress, private citizens or from the White House Special Interest Groups may also try to influence Congress to write a Bill Special Interest Groups may also try to influence Congress to write a Bill

Step 2 Every Bill must start out and be introduced by a Congressman – either a Senator or a House Member Every Bill must start out and be introduced by a Congressman – either a Senator or a House Member Every Bill is given a title and number when it is introduced – H.R.1 or S.1 Every Bill is given a title and number when it is introduced – H.R.1 or S.1

Step 3 After it is introduced, each Bill is then sent to the standing committee that seems most qualified to handle it. After it is introduced, each Bill is then sent to the standing committee that seems most qualified to handle it.

House standing committees Agriculture Agriculture Appropriations Appropriations Armed Services Armed Services Budget Budget Education and the Workforce Education and the Workforce Energy and Commerce Energy and Commerce Ethics Ethics Financial Services Financial Services Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs Homeland Security Homeland Security House Administration House Administration Judiciary Judiciary Natural Resources Natural Resources Science, Space, and Technology Science, Space, and Technology Small Business Small Business Transportation and Infrastructure Transportation and Infrastructure Veterans’ Affairs Veterans’ Affairs Ways and Means Ways and Means Intelligence Intelligence

Step 4 Committees receive hundreds of Bills and they decide the life or death of these bills Committees receive hundreds of Bills and they decide the life or death of these bills Those that hold merit are sent to a subcommittee to research (public hearings may be held) Those that hold merit are sent to a subcommittee to research (public hearings may be held)

SUBCOMMITTEES SUBCOMMITTEES Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities Education Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Education Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Energy Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Energy Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Science Subcommittee on Space Science Subcommittee on Space Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access Transportation Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Transportation Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism/HUMINT, Analysis and Counterintelligence Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism/HUMINT, Analysis and Counterintelligence Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Commerce Subcommittee on Science and Space Commerce Subcommittee on Science and Space

Step 5 The subcommittee will report to the standing committee who will decide if the Bill should The subcommittee will report to the standing committee who will decide if the Bill should –Pass without changes –Have changes and pass it along –Replace the Bill with a alternative one –Kill the Bill

Step 6 If a Bill is approved by the committee, then it is ready for consideration by the full House. If a Bill is approved by the committee, then it is ready for consideration by the full House. When Bills reach the House floor, the members argue their pros and cons When Bills reach the House floor, the members argue their pros and cons each House member can only speak for specified time limit each House member can only speak for specified time limit

Step 7 When members of the House are ready to vote they may do so by When members of the House are ready to vote they may do so by –Voice Vote –Standing Vote –Roll-call or today’s Computerized Vote –A simple majority is all that is needed to pass a Bill. If the House refuses to pass it, it dies

Step 8 Bill is then sent to the Senate the entire process begins all over in the Senate

Step 9 After it is introduced, the Bill is then sent to the appropriate Senate standing committee After it is introduced, the Bill is then sent to the appropriate Senate standing committee

Senate standing committees Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Appropriations Appropriations Armed Services Armed Services Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Budget Budget Commerce, Science, and Transportation Commerce, Science, and Transportation Energy and Natural Resources Energy and Natural Resources Environment & Public Works Environment & Public Works Finance Finance Foreign Relations Foreign Relations Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Judiciary Judiciary Rules and Administration Rules and Administration Small Business and Entrepreneurship Small Business and Entrepreneurship Veterans' Affairs Veterans' Affairs

Step 10 Usually the Bill will be sent to a subcommittee to research (public hearings may be held) Usually the Bill will be sent to a subcommittee to research (public hearings may be held)

Senate Subcommittees Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Markets, Trade and Risk Management Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Markets, Trade and Risk Management Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources Commerce Subcommittee on Jobs, Rural Economic Growth and Energy Innovation Commerce Subcommittee on Jobs, Rural Economic Growth and Energy Innovation Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Banking Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance Banking Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection Energy Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining Energy Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks Judiciary Subcommittee on Bankruptcy and the Courts Judiciary Subcommittee on Bankruptcy and the Courts

Step 11 The subcommittee will report to the standing committee who will decide if the Bill should Pass it without changes Pass it without changes Make changes and pass it along Make changes and pass it along Replace the Bill with a alternative one Replace the Bill with a alternative one Kill the Bill Kill the Bill

Step 12 If a Bill is approved by the committee, then it is ready for consideration by the full Senate. If a Bill is approved by the committee, then it is ready for consideration by the full Senate. When Bills reach the Senate floor, the members argue their pros and cons When Bills reach the Senate floor, the members argue their pros and cons The Senate (only) can add riders The Senate (only) can add riders The Senate also allows filibusters- non-stap talking to avoid a vote The Senate also allows filibusters- non-stap talking to avoid a vote which can only be stopped by a 3/5ths vote for cloture- to end the filibuster which can only be stopped by a 3/5ths vote for cloture- to end the filibuster

Step 13 If the Senate votes to pass the Bill, it must be the exact same wording as House version If any changes were made to the Bill, it must be sent to a Conference Committee- made up of members from both House & Senate Conference Committee Conference Committee must reach a compromise version of the Bill with wording both houses can accept must reach a compromise version of the Bill with wording both houses can accept

Step 14 The compromise version of the Bill must then be voted on and passed by both Houses of Congress After both Houses pass it…

Step 15 Presidential Action is the final step Presidential Action is the final step President can: President can: –Veto: refuse to sign Congress can override the veto with a 2/3rds vote in each house – very unlikely Congress can override the veto with a 2/3rds vote in each house – very unlikely –Sign the Bill into Law –Do nothing for 10 days In session – the Bill becomes a Law In session – the Bill becomes a Law Out of session – the Bill dies – POCKET VETO Out of session – the Bill dies – POCKET VETO