1. How a Bill Becomes a Law

2. The Beginning A bill is a proposed law.
The majority of bills originate in the executive branch.
Only members can introduce bills.

3. Types of Bills Public bills apply to the nation
Private bills apply to certain people or places

4. The First Reading
The bill is introduced and given a number based on when and where it originated. Ex. H.R. 234 or S. 167
The bill is given a title and then published in the Journal.
The bill is then referred to the appropriate committee.

5. The Bill in Committee
Committees look through the bills and decide which ones are worthy of further debate.
Majority are pigeonholed where they “die.”

6. Committee Actions Committees pass along the bills to subcommittees.
1. report the bill favorably
2. refuse to report the bill
3. report the bill in amended form
4. report the bill unfavorably
5. Report a committee bill

7. The Bill on the Floor The bill receives its second reading.
The bill is then debated
Voting on the bill and all the amendments then takes place.
Voices vote are most common
Since 1973 HOR members can vote electronically

8. Final Steps
After being approved a bill is engrossed- printed in its final form.
It is read a third time and then it is placed on the President of the Senate’s desk.

9. The Bill in the Senate There is no limit to debate in the Senate.
A filibuster is an attempt to talk a bill to death.
Cloture- 60 senators can kill a debate.

10. The President Acts
The President then signs or vetoes the bill.