How A Bill Becomes A Law The idea for a bill can come from ANYONE : regular citizens, interest groups (special organizations), politicians, even students! But ONLY a member of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES or SENATE can sponsor a bill.

1 A bill is introduced into the H.O.R. or Senate and given a title and a number. 2 Then it is referred to a committee that specializes in that particular area. The committee may simply ignore the bill and let it “DIE” or... 3 The committee will then hold hearings. It does this to gather information about the bill.

1 A bill is introduced into the H.O.R. or Senate and given a title and a number. 2 Then it is referred to a committee that specializes in that particular area. The committee may simply ignore the bill and let it “DIE” or... 3 The committee will then hold hearings. It does this to gather information about the bill. 4 The committee may approve the bill as is, rewrite it, or KILL the bill. If approved, it goes to the FULL house (H.O.R/Senate). H.O.R.: Rules committee sets rules for debates and amendments on the bill. It also schedules when the debates will occur.

1 A bill is introduced into the H.O.R. or Senate and given a title and a number. 2 Then it is referred to a committee that specializes in that particular area. The committee may simply ignore the bill and let it “DIE” or... 3 The committee will then hold hearings. It does this to gather information about the bill. 4 The committee may approve the bill as is, rewrite it, or KILL the bill. If approved, it goes to the FULL house (H.O.R/Senate). H.O.R.: Rules committee sets rules for debates and amendments on the bill. It also schedules when the debates will occur. 5 H.O.R./Senate will then hold debates to determine whether to approve or KILL the bill.

1 A bill is introduced into the H.O.R. or Senate and given a title and a number. 2 Then it is referred to a committee that specializes in that particular area. The committee may simply ignore the bill and let it “DIE” or... 3 The committee will then hold hearings. It does this to gather information about the bill. 4 The committee may approve the bill as is, rewrite it, or KILL the bill. If approved, it goes to the FULL house (H.O.R/Senate) H.O.R.: Rules committee sets rules for debates and amendments on the bill. It also schedules when the debates will occur. 5 H.O.R./Senate will then hold debates to determine whether to approve or KILL the bill. 6 If the bill receives a majority vote, it will then go to the “other house” for approval. The “other house” will now go through the same steps (1-5)! Again, it can KILL or APPROVE the bill at each of these steps.

1 A bill is introduced into the H.O.R. or Senate and given a title and a number. 2 Then it is referred to a committee that specializes in that particular area. The committee may simply ignore the bill and let it “DIE” or... 3 The committee will then hold hearings. It does this to gather information about the bill. 4 The committee may approve the bill as is, rewrite it, or KILL the bill. If approved, it goes to the FULL house (H.O.R/Senate) H.O.R.: Rules committee sets rules for debates and amendments on the bill. It also schedules when the debates will occur. 5 H.O.R./Senate will then hold debates to determine whether to approve or KILL the bill. 6 If the bill receives a majority vote, it will then go to the “other house” for approval. The “other house” will now go through the same steps (1-5)! Again, it can KILL or APPROVE the bill at each of these steps. Conference Committee

7A The “other house” could have a different version of the bill, which is usually the case. If this is the case, the bill is referred to a Conference Committee, made up of members from BOTH houses. The bill may still “DIE” if committee can’t agree. 7B The bill is then revised (BOTH houses get the identical version) and sent back to EACH of the houses for final approval. 7C The bill must be approved in BOTH houses. If just one house disapproves, the bill “DIES.”

Sent to the president 8A The president can sign the bill or allow it to become a law without signing it. BILL BECOMES LAW! 7A The “other house” could have a different version of the bill, which is usually the case. If this is the case, the bill is referred to a Conference Committee, made up of members from BOTH houses. The bill may still “DIE” if committee can’t agree. 7B The bill is then revised (BOTH houses get the identical version) and sent back to EACH of the houses for final approval. 7C The bill must be approved in BOTH houses. If just one house disapproves, the bill “DIES.”

President 7A The “other house” could have a different version of the bill, which is usually the case. If this is the case, the bill is referred to a Conference Committee, made up of members from BOTH houses. The bill may still “DIE” if committee can’t agree. 7B The bill is then revised (BOTH houses get the identical version) and sent back to EACH of the houses for final approval. 7C The bill must be approved in BOTH houses. If just one house disapproves, the bill “DIES.” 8C The president vetoes the bill. 9A The bill is sent back to the house where it started from. That house must then approve it by a 2/3 vote, then send it to the “other house” where it needs to be approved by a 2/3 vote. This is very difficult to do. If there is no 2/3 vote, the bill “DIES.” 9B If there is, then the bill becomes a law! BILL BECOMES LAW! 8B If Congress is out of secession and the president does nothing with the bill, it will die. This is called a pocket veto because the president kills the bill by doing nothing to it! This is very rare though. OR

Sent to the president 6A... The “other house” could have a different version of the bill, which is usually the case. If this is the case, the bill is referred to a Conference Committee, made up of members from BOTH houses. Even here, if the committee can’t agree, the bill “DIES.” 6B The bill is then revised (BOTH houses get the identical version) and sent back to EACH of the houses for final approval. 6C The bill must be approved in BOTH houses. If just one house disapproves, the bill “DIES.” 7C The president vetoes the bill. 8A The bill is sent back to the house where it started from. That house must then approve it by a 2/3 vote, then send it to the “other house” where it needs to be approved by a 2/3 vote. This is very difficult to do. If there is no 2/3 vote, the bill “DIES.” 8B If there is, then the bill becomes a law! BILL BECOMES LAW! lawlaw

Bill intro. in Senate. Committee related to the bill studies and debates it. Entire Senate votes on it. Goes to the HOR. Bill intro. in HOR. Committee related to the bill studies and debates it. Entire HOR votes on it. Conference Committee. President Signs it Veto Law Remember, a bill can start in the Senate or HOR! Here’s how the entire process looks overall!