The Hopper's Journey: Bill To Federal Law

The hopper is a special box on the side of the clerk's desk in the US House of Representatives where a bill is introduced. Once a bill is written, it needs a sponsor and the support of other representatives before it can be introduced. When a bill is introduced, it is placed in the hopper and assigned a number. From there, it goes through several stages of review, research, revision, and voting before it can become a federal law.

A bill is proposed

A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. The idea for a bill can come from a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, be proposed during their election campaign, or be petitioned by citizens or citizen groups. Once a Representative has written a bill, it needs a sponsor. The Representative discusses the bill with other Representatives to get their support. Once a bill has a sponsor and the support of some of the Representatives, it is ready to be introduced.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, a bill is introduced when it is placed in the hopper—a special box on the side of the clerk's desk. Only Representatives can introduce bills in the U.S. House of Representatives. When a bill is introduced, it is given a number: H.R. signifies a House bill and S. a Senate bill.

Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The committee members review, research, and revise the bill before voting on whether or not to send it back to the House floor. The committee chair determines whether there will be a hearing on the bill, which is an opportunity for witnesses to provide testimony. If the committee decides to hold a hearing, the bill is sent to a subcommittee. While in subcommittee, the bill is closely examined and expert opinions are gathered before it is sent back to the committee for approval. The committee will then hold a mark-up session during which it will make revisions and additions. If substantial amendments are made, the committee can order the introduction of a "clean bill" which will include the proposed amendments.

The process of introducing a bill and referring it to a committee is the first step in the journey of a bill to become a federal law.

A sponsor is found

The first step in the journey of a bill to become a law is for it to be proposed. A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. The idea for a bill can come from a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, be proposed during their election campaign, or be petitioned by citizens or citizen groups. Citizens who have ideas for laws can contact their Representatives to discuss their ideas. If the Representatives agree, they research the ideas and write them into bills.

Once a Representative has written a bill, it needs a sponsor. The Representative talks with other Representatives about the bill in the hopes of getting their support. A sponsor is the original member who introduces a bill. The sponsor may insert the words 'by request' after their name to indicate that the introduction of the bill is at the suggestion of another person or group. The sponsor must get the signatures of other members to show their support for the bill. Once a bill has a sponsor and the support of some of the Representatives, it is ready to be introduced.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, a bill is introduced when it is placed in the hopper—a special box on the side of the clerk's desk. Only Representatives can introduce bills in the U.S. House of Representatives. When a bill is introduced, it is given a number: H.R. signifies a House bill and S. a Senate bill.

The bill is introduced

The process of introducing a bill begins with an idea for a law. These ideas can come from a Representative or citizen. Citizens who have ideas for laws can contact their Representatives to discuss their ideas. If the Representatives agree, they research the ideas and write them into bills. When a Representative has written a bill, the bill needs a sponsor. The Representative talks with other Representatives about the bill in the hopes of getting their support. Once a bill has a sponsor and the support of some of the Representatives, it is ready to be introduced.

In the hopper, staff at the Code Reviser's Office will stamp the bill and make sure the text is in the proper format to turn into a possible law. This involves looking up what possible changes any legislation makes to existing laws, then crossing out words, sentences, or entire sections of existing laws and showing exactly what would replace them.

The bill goes to committee

Once a bill is introduced, it is sent to a committee to be reviewed, researched, and revised. Committees are groups of representatives who are experts on specific topics, such as agriculture, education, or international relations. The Speaker of the House or the presiding officer in the Senate decides which committee the bill will go to, and the bill may be sent to more than one committee. The Speaker of the House may also set time limits on committees.

The committee chair decides whether there will be a hearing on the bill, which is an opportunity for witnesses to provide testimony. The committee may also send the bill to a subcommittee, which will closely examine the bill and gather expert opinions before sending it back to the committee for approval.

Once the committee has finished reviewing the bill, they will vote on whether to send it back to the House floor. If the committee votes in favour of the bill, it will be reported to the House floor, where it can be debated by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill is reported

Once a bill has been approved by the committee, it is sent to the House floor, where it is ready to be debated by the U.S. House of Representatives. This is when the bill is reported.

During the debate, Representatives discuss the bill and explain why they agree or disagree with it. A reading clerk then reads the bill section by section, and the Representatives recommend changes. Once all changes have been made, the bill is ready to be voted on.

There are three methods for voting on a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives:

• Viva Voce (voice vote): The Speaker of the House asks the Representatives who support the bill to say "aye" and those that oppose it to say "no."
• Division: The Speaker of the House asks those Representatives who support the bill to stand up and be counted, and then those who oppose the bill to stand up and be counted.
• Recorded: Representatives record their vote using the electronic voting system. Representatives can vote "yes," "no," or "present" (if they don't want to vote on the bill).

If a majority of the Representatives vote "yes," the bill passes in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill is then certified by the Clerk of the House and delivered to the U.S. Senate.

Frequently asked questions