1. How A Bill Becomes a Law

2. Step 1 Every Bill starts out as an idea
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

3. Step 2
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

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

5. Step 4
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)

6. Step 5
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

7. Step 6
If a Bill is approved by the committee, then it is ready for consideration by the full House or the Senate.
When Bills reach the floor, the members argue their pros and cons
The Senate (only) can add riders
The Senate also allows filibusters which can only be stopped by a 3/5ths vote for cloture

8. Step 7 When members of Congress 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 either house refuses to pass it, it dies
The Bill must be passed in identical formats in both houses – conference committees may be needed

9. Step 8 Presidential Action is the final step Veto: refuse to sign
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
Out of session – the Bill dies – POCKET VETO

10. The End