How a Bill Becomes a Law

Step 1: Introduction Introduced by Representatives or SenatorsIntroduced by Representatives or Senators HR for House, S for SenateHR for House, S for Senate Which people and the number of people sponsoring it are very importantWhich people and the number of people sponsoring it are very important

Step 2: Assignment to Committee Bill is assigned to appropriate committeeBill is assigned to appropriate committee The committee must approve the bill before it is placed on the agenda for discussion by the full chamberThe committee must approve the bill before it is placed on the agenda for discussion by the full chamber 90% of legislation dies during this step90% of legislation dies during this step

Step 3: The House Rules Committee Only in the House of RepresentativesOnly in the House of Representatives Made up of the more senior members of each partyMade up of the more senior members of each party They must propose a special rule by which the bill will be discussed, otherwise it diesThey must propose a special rule by which the bill will be discussed, otherwise it dies

Step 4: Discussion and Vote by the Full Chamber In the House, a bill can be discussed by either open rule or closed ruleIn the House, a bill can be discussed by either open rule or closed rule Senate is much more flexibleSenate is much more flexible Bills can be amended hereBills can be amended here A majority vote passes the bill to the other chamberA majority vote passes the bill to the other chamber

Step 5: Discussion and Vote by the Other Chamber The same steps take place here beginning with the committeeThe same steps take place here beginning with the committee After amendment are made, the bill must be approved by the majority in order to move onAfter amendment are made, the bill must be approved by the majority in order to move on

Step 6: The Conference Committee Most of the time, a bill passed in the House is slightly different than the version passed in the SenateMost of the time, a bill passed in the House is slightly different than the version passed in the Senate The conference committee is made of members from the House and SenateThe conference committee is made of members from the House and Senate They come to a compromise between the two different versionsThey come to a compromise between the two different versions

Step 7: Final Passage by Both Chambers The conference committee sends a conference report to both chambers of CongressThe conference committee sends a conference report to both chambers of Congress Once it is accepted by a majority vote in both chambers, the bill is in its final formOnce it is accepted by a majority vote in both chambers, the bill is in its final form

Step 8: Presidential Approval President can approve it, veto it, or do nothingPresident can approve it, veto it, or do nothing If Congress is in session, doing nothing would approve the bill by defaultIf Congress is in session, doing nothing would approve the bill by default If Congress is not in session and the President takes no action, the bill is defeated by default (pocket veto)If Congress is not in session and the President takes no action, the bill is defeated by default (pocket veto)

Step 9: Possible Veto Override If vetoed, a 2/3 vote by each chamber of Congress can override the vetoIf vetoed, a 2/3 vote by each chamber of Congress can override the veto This is very difficult to achieve and does not occur oftenThis is very difficult to achieve and does not occur often