1. A Bill Becomes A Law
House of Representatives
Senate

2. What is a Bill? A bill is Congress’s first step toward making a law.

3. Proposing a Bill
Before a bill can be introduced someone must come up with the idea.

4. Where do ideas for bills come from?
Congress members
Congressional staff
Citizens
Lobbyist
President

5. Introducing Bill Bills can be introduced in either the House or
the Senate

6. Introduction: House of Representatives
Proposed bills are written and dropped in a hopper. Then, they are given a number (HR123).

7. Assignment to Committee
May be pigeon-holed
Researched and studied
Sometimes sent to subcommittee

8. Assignment to Committee
Hearings are held for the public. Lobbyists testify.
Must be approved by the majority of the committee
95% of bills DIE in Com.

9. Floor (full house) Read and debated (amendments made)
Debate is limited
Sent to Senate (if House passes by majority vote)

10. Sent to Senate Introduction Written and announced to Senate
Given a number (S321)

11. Senate Sends Bill to Committee
May be pigeon-holed
Researched and studied.
Sometimes sent to subcommittee

12. Senate Sends Bill to Committee
Must be approved by the majority of the committee
95% of bills die in committee

13. Senate Floor (full Senate) Read and debated
Unlimited debate(filibuster)
Must be passed by majority vote

14. Joint Conference Committee
Members from each house meet and resolve differences
(COMPROMISE)
Revised bill is sent back to houses for further review

15. Final Approval
Both houses VOTE on the compromise

16. President- Is it a law? The President can: Sign the bill into a law
Veto
Pocket Veto (in 10 days bill dies if Congress ends,it passes if Congress stays in session)