1. How a Bill Becomes a Law

2. Step 1: Introduction Write It (“Draft”) Introduce in House and Senate
Sponsors / Co-sponsors
Referral to Committees

3. Step 2: Committee Action
Written Comment
Hearings
Mark-Up
Reports

4. Step 3: Floor Action Part A: The House
Stop at the Rules Committee
How much debate?
Open or closed rule
Debate on House Floor
Quorum call – 218 members
Vote

5. Step 3: Floor Action Part B: The Senate
No limit on debate or on amendments
Fillibuster
Cloture vote
Vote

6. Step 4: Combined Action Several options
Only one chamber has voted on the bill
Now must be sent to other chamber
If other chamber amends or changes the legislation, we must convene a “conference committee” (see below)
House or Senate vote on same version of bill
We can go straight to the President
House and Senate have different versions of the bill
Convene a “conference committee” to reach compromise
Compromise bill must be sent back to House and Senate for approval

7. Step 5: Presidential Action
President signs the bill
It becomes law
President vetoes the bill
Either Congress overrides veto (by 2/3 in both chambers)
Or bill dies

8. Step 5: Presidential Action
What if the President does nothing?
If 10 days pass, and Congress is still in session, the bill automatically becomes a law
If Congress adjourns before the 10 days expire, the bill dies – “Pocket Veto”