The Final Step: Bill To Law

The final step in the process of a bill becoming a law is the involvement of the President. Once a bill has been approved by both the House and the Senate, it is sent to the President for review. The President has three options: they can sign the bill into law, refuse to sign it and veto it, or do nothing for 10 days while Congress is in session, in which case the bill automatically becomes law. If the President chooses to veto the bill, Congress can attempt to override the veto, and if two-thirds of both the House and the Senate support the bill, it becomes a law.

The bill is sent to the president

Once a bill has been approved by both the House and the Senate, it is sent to the President for their consideration. This is the final step in the process of a bill becoming a law.

When a bill reaches the President, they have three options. Firstly, they can choose to sign and pass the bill, at which point it becomes a law. Secondly, they can refuse to sign, or veto, the bill. In this case, the bill is sent back to the House of Representatives, along with the President's reasons for the veto. If the House and the Senate still believe the bill should become a law, they can hold another vote on the bill, and if two-thirds of the Representatives and Senators support it, the President's veto is overridden and the bill becomes a law. Thirdly, the President can choose to do nothing, which is known as a 'pocket veto'. If Congress is in session, the bill will automatically become law after 10 days of inaction by the President. However, if Congress is not in session during this 10-day period, the bill does not become a law and is instead automatically vetoed.

The president signs the bill into law

If the President approves of the bill, they will sign it, and it officially becomes a law. This is known as "Presidential Action" and results in the creation of a Public Law. The Office of Federal Register assigns the Public Law a number, and the Government Printing Office prints a copy of it. This newly signed law is first issued in slip form, or a single publication containing the law. It is then organised in the order in which it was passed and later codified into subject order, grouping it with other laws on the same topic.

If the President chooses to take no action on the bill for ten days while Congress is in session, the bill will automatically become law. This is known as a "pocket veto". However, if Congress adjourns during these ten days and the President still does not sign the bill, it will be automatically vetoed and will not become law.

On the other hand, if the President opposes the bill, they have the power to veto it. In this case, the bill is sent back to Congress, along with the President's reasons for the veto. Congress can then attempt to override the veto by holding another vote on the bill. If two-thirds of both the House and the Senate support the bill, the President's veto is overruled, and the bill becomes a law.

The president vetoes the bill

Once a bill has been approved by both chambers of Congress, it is then presented to the President for their review. The President has ten days, excluding Sundays, to sign the bill or veto it. If the President chooses to veto a bill, it is then returned to the chamber in which it originated. This chamber can then attempt to override the President's veto, but this requires a two-thirds majority vote. If this vote passes, the bill is then sent to the other chamber, which can then decide whether to hold its own override vote. Again, a two-thirds majority is required for the vote to pass. Only if both chambers vote to override the veto does the bill become law, despite the President's objections. A successful override of a presidential veto is a rare occurrence.

If the President does not sign the bill, and it remains unsigned when Congress is no longer in session, the bill will be vetoed by default. This is called a "pocket veto" and cannot be overruled by Congress. This can occur if the President takes no action on the bill for ten days while Congress is in session.

The President's veto is a powerful tool, as it allows them to block a bill from becoming law even after it has been approved by both chambers of Congress. However, it is important to note that Congress can override a veto, albeit with a high threshold of a two-thirds majority in both chambers. This process underscores the system of checks and balances in the US legislative process, where both the executive and legislative branches have a say in the creation of laws.

The President's veto power is a crucial aspect of the legislative process, and it can significantly impact the fate of a bill. While Congress can attempt to override a veto, it is a challenging and uncommon outcome. The dynamics between the President and Congress, as well as the specifics of the bill in question, can influence the likelihood of a successful override.

Congress overrides the veto

In the United States, the President has the power to veto a bill, preventing it from becoming law. However, Congress can override this veto if both the Senate and the House of Representatives pass the bill with a two-thirds majority vote. This process is outlined in Article I, Section 7 of the US Constitution.

When a bill has been vetoed by the President, it is sent back to the House in which it originated, along with a statement of the President's objections. Congress then has the opportunity to reconsider the bill, and if both Houses pass it with a two-thirds majority, the bill becomes a law, despite the President's veto.

It is important to note that there is a type of veto called a "pocket veto" that cannot be overridden by Congress. This occurs when the President does not sign a bill and Congress adjourns before the ten-day period for the President to act on the legislation has elapsed. In this case, the bill does not become law.

The power of Congress to override a veto is an important check on the President's power and helps to ensure that the legislative branch has a say in the law-making process. Throughout US history, there have been numerous instances where Congress has successfully overridden a presidential veto, demonstrating the significance of this power in shaping the country's laws and policies.

The bill becomes a law

The final steps in the process of a bill becoming a law involve approval by the President. Once a bill has passed in both the House and the Senate, it is sent to the President for review. The President has three options: they can sign the bill into law, refuse to sign it and issue a veto, or do nothing.

Presidential Approval

If the President approves of the bill, they will sign it, and it becomes a law. This is known as "signing and passing the bill".

Veto

If the President does not approve of the bill, they can issue a veto. The President must then send the bill back to Congress, along with their reasons for the veto. Congress can then attempt to override the veto by holding another vote on the bill. If two-thirds of both the House and the Senate support the bill, the President's veto is overridden, and the bill becomes a law.

Pocket Veto

If the President does not sign the bill and Congress is no longer in session, the bill will be vetoed by default. This is known as a "pocket veto". A pocket veto cannot be overridden by Congress.

Automatic Law

If the President takes no action on the bill for ten days while Congress is in session, the bill will automatically become a law.

Final Steps

Once a bill has been approved by the President or a veto has been overridden, it officially becomes a law. The Office of Federal Register assigns the law a number, and the Government Printing Office prints a copy. Laws are first issued in slip form, containing a single publication of the law. They are then organised in the order in which they were passed and are finally codified into subject order.

Frequently asked questions