1. How a Bill Becomes a Law

3. Propose a Bill
First, someone has to come up with an idea for a new bill
Then, they call a representative to get a sponsor

4. Introduce it to Congress
A bill can start in either chamber, but a tax law must start in the House
The bill is given a number and in entered into Congressional records

5. Take it to Committee
The bill is assigned to the proper committee and debated and changed by Congressmen

6. Take it to Subcommittees
Then, it can go to a subcommittee to be looked at by specialists

7. Report it
The committee writes a report on the bill that will get presented on the floor
The bill gets put on a calendar to wait its turn to be voted on

8. Consider it on the Floor
The bill is considered on the house floor
More amendments can be added to the bill
A filibuster can be used to delay or prevent the bill from going to a vote (“talking the bill to death”)

9. Put it to a Vote Members must vote “yea,” “nay,” or “present”
Voting “present” means you refuse to take a side

10. Take it to the Other Chamber
If the bill passes in the House, it moves on to follow the same process in the Senate (and vice versa)

11. Take it to the White House
If both houses approve the bill, it goes to a conference committee to iron out any differences in the bill
Then it is taken to the President

12. Becomes a Law
The President can then sign the bill to make it a law

13. Or it is Vetoed The President can veto the bill (reject it)
If the bill remains unsigned after 10 days, it becomes law (unless Congress isn’t in session)
If Congress adjourns before the 10 days is up, the bill does NOT become law (known as a “pocket veto”)

14. Overridden
If the President vetoes the bill, it can be overridden by a 2/3 majority vote of each house