1. Chapter 6 Section 4 Civics Mr. Collins and Mrs. Kozlik CE 7a
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Chapter 6 Section 4
Civics
Mr. Collins and Mrs. Kozlik
CE 7a

2. Step 1: Bill Must be Introduced
A Senator or member of the House must draft a bill or put it in writing
He or she then introduces the bill to the other members of his or her house
Bills are given numbers
to identify them
Ex. H.R. 1, S. 1

3. Step 2: Bill is sent to a Committee
Bill goes to the standing committee that is concerned with the subject of the bill (Ex. Airline Safety Bill would go to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House)
Committees can decide to kill the bill, or to modify the bill or leave it as is for the entire House or Senate to vote on

4. Step 3: Debate and Vote
If the bill is approved by a committee then the House or Senate debate the bill
When debating, Senators sometimes filibuster (talking until other Senators give up on the bill)
Filibusters may be stopped by cloture-no one speaks
After the debate the bill is brought to a vote in 1 of 4 ways
Voice Vote – say yea or nay
Standing Vote – stand if you support it
Roll-call vote – vote individually when called
House uses computerized voting

5. Step 4: Signing or Vetoing a Bill
After the bill is passed by both houses of Congress, the President has two options
Sign the bill into law
Veto the bill
*Also, may pocket veto

6. Step 5: Override of a Presidential Veto
If the President vetoes a bill, Congress can override the veto with a majority of at least 2/3’s in both house
67 votes in the Senate
290 votes in the House