HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW 10 steps

HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW: 10 steps in the legislative process!

Some Definitions: • BILL: A proposed law • SPONSOR: The person who introduces the bill • RESOLUTION: A formal statement expressing a legislative decision or opinion (can be Simple, Concurrent, or a

Step 1: The Idea • Ideas for bills usually come from the President, Congress, interest groups or the constituents. • Bills are written by Congress

Step 2: The Bill is Introduced • The Bill is introduced by a sponsor • It is prefixed and assigned to committee • House Speaker or Steering Committee assigns the bill • Assignment to an “unfriendly committee” could

Step 3: Committees Take Action! Bills can be forced from committee by a discharge petition. . . • The chair of the committee determines the agenda • May send bill to subcommittee for study… • Investigations/ hearings • Amendments… • “favorable pass” or “unfavorable pass” • Pigeonhole: Killing the bill in committee. . .

Step 4: the Calendar • The formal schedule for bills and resolutions to be heard • Usually in chronological order • Bills can be moved based on importance… • The House Rules committee is responsible for this. • Bills can die on the calendar if the session ends before it is

Step 5: Floor action; Debate House Rules: • Only 1 bill can be discussed at a time • Debate time is limited to 1 or 2 hours • All debate must be germane Senate Rules • 3 -4 bills at a time • Time is not limited • Debate does not need to be germane • FILIBUSTER can kill a bill… • Cloture can end a debate-- rarely done!

Step 6: Floor Action • It could be TABLED with no further consideration (death for the bill) • It could be amended/ RIDERS could be added • It could be sent back to committee for further study!

Step 7: Call for a Vote! • A Quorum must be present to vote • Voting can be done by voice, standing, teller, roll-call • Bill can die if it is defeated • If it passes the vote. . .

Bills must pass both houses in identical form before they may become laws. . . Step 8: Bicameralism. . . The bill is sent to the other house for the same process…(GO BACK TO STEP

Step 9: Conference Committee • If the bill passes each house in similar form, a select - joint committee will be called to RECONCILE the two versions of the bill. • The bill then returns to each house for approval

Step 10: Presidential Action • Pass it…(Hoooray!) • No action- it passes after 10 days • POCKET VETO: if congress adjourns before 10 days, it is killed

Overriding a presidential veto requires a 2/3 vote in each house. . . It is very difficult for a bill to become a law. . .