1. How a bill becomes a law? The Legislative Process

2. What is a Bill? Bill = A proposed law Where does the idea come from? – Typically the idea originates with the Executive Branch, Special Interest Groups, or citizens. However, only a member of Congress may present the idea in the form of a bill. A Bill must pass through BOTH houses before it can go to the President.

3. The House of Representatives A bill can originate in EITHER house. Step 1 in the House: A bill is introduced and assigned to a specific Full Standing Committee – a group that specializes in the topic ex: Education. The Full Committee then refers the bill to a smaller Subcommittee. Step 2 in the House: The Subcommittee makes changes, marks-up the paper, debates, and votes for it to go the Full Committee for a vote.

4. The House of Representatives Step 3 in the House: The Full Committee then votes to approve the Bill. If it passes it moves to the next step, if not it dies (or goes back). Step 4 in the House: THIS IS THE ONLY STEP THAT DIFFERS BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE!!! The Senate DOES NOT take this step. – The Bill is given to a Rules Committee, they set up guidelines for debating the topic when it goes to the Full House of Representatives (necessary b/c the # is so high in the House).

5. The House of Representatives Step 5 in the House: The Bill is introduced to the Full House (all members) for debate. If it is approved with NO changes (if it started in the Senate), then it moves to next step for vote. – If the version changed from the version passed in the Senate, it must go to a Conference committee before the Full House can vote- both houses meet to discuss and reconcile different versions.

6. The House of Representatives Step 6 of the House: The entire House votes to pass the Bill. If it passes it moves on, if not it dies. Step 6 only occurs if they had to have a conference committee to make changes.

7. The Senate Steps 1-3 are the same as the House Step 4 of the Senate: Full Senate meets to debate. The Senate does NOT set rules for debate, they can discuss the bill as long as they want “filibuster” Step 5 of the Senate: The bill goes to the Full Senate for a vote. If it passes it moves on, if not it dies.

8. What happens next? BOTH houses must have the same version! If the bill passes through both houses does it then become a law? NO- it then goes to the President Final Step for the Bill: The president has three options 1. Sign it = becomes law2. Veto = does not become law (Congress can override with a 2/3 vote)3. Ignore = if the bill is ignored for 10 days, it will become law