Cecily Zamora
The process of introducing a bill in the Senate involves several steps. A bill is typically referred to a committee with jurisdiction over the issue it addresses, though it may be placed directly on the Senate Calendar of Business in certain cases. Senate bills are designated by S. followed by a number, indicating their introduction in the Senate, and they address domestic and foreign issues, programs, and appropriations. The introduction of a bill requires recognition from the presiding officer during the morning hour, and if any senator objects, the introduction is postponed until the next day. The bill is then assigned a number and sent for printing, with copies made available to the public. The process of introducing a bill sets the stage for further consideration, debate, and potential passage into law.
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Senate bills are designated by 'S.' followed by a number
In the United States, Senate bills are designated by the letter "S." followed by a number. This "S." prefix is used to indicate that the bill was introduced in the Senate, as opposed to "H.R.," which is used for House-originated bills. The number that follows the "S." prefix is typically the next number available in sequence during that two-year Congress. For example, a Senate bill might be labelled "S. 1" or "SJ. Res. 1."
The designation of a bill as originating in the Senate or the House is important as it affects the subsequent legislative process. Upon introduction, the bill is typically referred to the relevant committee or committees with jurisdiction over the provisions in the bill. In the House, the Speaker refers the bill to the appropriate committees, while in the Senate, the presiding officer or Senate Majority Leader performs this task. In almost all cases, Senate bills are referred only to the committee with predominant jurisdiction over the issue. On the other hand, House bills may be referred to multiple committees if various provisions in the bill fall under the jurisdiction of different committees.
After the committee review stage, the bill may be reported out favorably, in which case it proceeds to the floor debate in the full House or Senate, depending on its origin. Here, the bill is deliberated and voted on. It's worth noting that the House processes legislation through a majority vote, while the Senate engages in deliberation and debate prior to voting.
Once a bill passes in one chamber, it goes to the other chamber. If it passes in identical form in both the House and the Senate, it can then be sent to the President for approval. If the President signs the bill, it becomes a law. However, if the President chooses to veto the bill, Congress can attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
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Senate bills can be jointly sponsored
In the United States, the process of introducing a bill differs between the House of Representatives and the Senate. In the Senate, bills are typically referred to committee, though in almost all cases, the bill is referred only to the committee with jurisdiction over the predominant issue in the bill. In a limited number of cases, a bill might not be referred to a committee but instead be placed directly on the Senate Calendar of Business through a series of procedural steps.
In the Senate, members must gain recognition from the presiding officer to announce the introduction of a bill during the morning hour. If any senator objects, the introduction of the bill is postponed until the next day. The bill is then assigned a number (e.g., HR 1 or S 1) and labelled with the sponsor's name. Senate bills can be jointly sponsored, and members can co-sponsor legislation. The bill is sent to the Government Printing Office (GPO), and copies are made.
The bill is then referred to the appropriate committee by the presiding officer in the Senate. The referral decision is usually made by the Senate parliamentarian. Bills may be referred to more than one committee, and it may be split so that parts are sent to different committees. Once a bill is referred to a committee, the Chairperson of that committee assigns the bill to the appropriate subcommittee, where hearings are held, and the bill is examined in-depth.
After the full committee reviews the bill, it has the option of holding its own hearing and mark-up. The committee can decide to take no action (table the bill), vote not to report out the bill (kill it), or report the bill out favorably. If the bill is reported out favorably, it must be scheduled for floor debate in either the full House or Senate, depending on its origin.
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Bills are typically referred to committee
In the U.S. Senate, bills are typically referred to a committee with jurisdiction over the issue that predominates in the bill. This is a similar process to that of the House of Representatives, where the Speaker refers a bill to the relevant committees. However, in the Senate, the presiding officer or the Senate Majority Leader will refer the bill to the appropriate committee. The referral decision is usually made by the Senate parliamentarian.
In the House, bills may be referred to multiple committees if they cover a wide range of issues. This is called a joint referral. In the Senate, however, bills are almost always referred to a single committee, unless there is a series of procedural steps on the floor. If a bill is referred to multiple committees in the Senate, each committee will work on the portion of the bill under its jurisdiction, and one committee will be designated as the primary committee of jurisdiction.
Once a bill is referred to a committee, the committee will adopt rules that will govern the procedures under which the bill will be considered by the House. A closed rule sets strict time limits on debate and forbids the introduction of amendments. The committee can decide to take no action (table the bill), vote not to report out the bill (kill it), or report the bill out favorably. If the bill is reported out favorably, it will be scheduled for floor debate in the full House or Senate.
The Chairperson of the committee usually assigns the bill to an appropriate subcommittee, where hearings are held and the bill is examined in-depth. This is an important stage as it is the best opportunity to put “on the record” the views of the executive branch, experts, other public officials, supporters, and opponents of the bill.
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Bills can be vetoed by the President
In the United States, the president can use the veto power to prevent a bill passed by Congress from becoming law. This is called a pocket veto. If the president does not sign off on a bill and it remains unsigned when Congress is no longer in session, the bill will be vetoed by default. This action cannot be overridden by Congress.
The President must sign a bill within ten days (Sundays excepted) after presentment. If the President does not sign a bill within ten days of presentment while Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes law. If Congress adjourns while the bill is awaiting signature and the President does not sign the bill within ten days of presentment, the bill does not become law.
Article I, Section 7, Clause 2 provides that once a bill passes both houses of Congress, it must be presented to the President for approval or veto. If the President does not approve of the bill and chooses not to sign, they may return it unsigned, within ten days, to the house of the United States Congress in which it originated, while Congress is in session. The President is constitutionally required to state any objections to the bill in writing, and Congress is required to consider them.
If the President vetoes a bill, in most cases, Congress can vote to override that veto, and the bill becomes a law. Historically, Congress has overridden about 7% of presidential vetoes. The votes are made at the qualified majority of the members voting, not of the whole number of the houses' members.
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Bills can be placed on the Senate Calendar of Business
In the U.S. Senate, bills are typically referred to the committee with jurisdiction over the issue that predominates in the bill. However, in a limited number of cases, a bill may not be referred to a committee but may instead be placed directly on the Senate Calendar of Business through a series of procedural steps on the floor. Scheduling of legislation is the job of the Majority Leader, and bills can be brought to the floor whenever a majority of the Senate chooses.
In the House, bills are placed on one of four House Calendars. They are usually placed on the calendars in the order they are reported, but they don't usually come to the floor in this order—some bills never reach the floor at all. The Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader decide what will reach the floor and when. (Legislation can also be brought to the floor by a discharge petition.)
In the Senate, legislation is placed on the Legislative Calendar. There is also an Executive calendar to deal with treaties and nominations.
A bill is typically introduced in the Senate when a member gains recognition from the presiding officer to announce the introduction of a bill during the morning hour. If any senator objects, the introduction of the bill is postponed until the next day. The bill is then assigned a number (e.g. HR 1 or S 1) and labelled with the sponsor's name. The bill is sent to the Government Printing Office (GPO), and copies are made. Senate bills can be jointly sponsored, and members can cosponsor the legislation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Senate can introduce a bill. In the Senate, bills are typically referred to committee, though in almost all cases, the bill is referred to only the committee with jurisdiction over the issue that predominates in the bill.
Members must gain recognition from the presiding officer to announce the introduction of a bill during the morning hour. If any senator objects, the introduction of the bill is postponed until the next day. The bill is assigned a number and sent to the Government Printing Office (GPO).
A bill is the most customary form used in both Houses. A joint resolution is designated H.J. Res. or S.J. Res. and is followed by a number. Like a bill, a joint resolution requires the approval of both Chambers in identical form and the president's signature to become law. There is no real difference between a joint resolution and a bill.
After a bill is introduced, the Speaker of the House or the Senate Majority Leader will refer the bill to the appropriate committee that has jurisdiction over the major issue involved in the bill. Once a bill is referred to the committee, the Chairperson of that committee assigns the bill to the appropriate subcommittee where hearings are held on the issue and the bill is carefully examined. If the bill is reported out favorably, it must then be scheduled for floor debate in either the full House or Senate, depending on its origin.
