Understanding The Legislative Process: A Comprehensive Guide

The process of a bill becoming a law is a long and complex one. It involves multiple stages and people, from citizens and their representatives to the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the President. The journey of a bill to becoming a law is an important topic for students to understand the intricacies of law-making in the United States. Worksheets and educational resources are available to help students grasp the process, including the roles of various officials and the different steps a bill must go through. These worksheets often include reading passages, questions, and activities to engage students and deepen their understanding of the topic.

The role of the committee

The committee plays a crucial role in the process of a bill becoming a law. Once a bill has been introduced, it is assigned to a committee. These committees are groups of representatives who are experts in the field that the bill relates to. For example, a bill about agriculture would be assigned to a committee of representatives with expertise in this area.

Once the committee is satisfied with the bill, they vote on whether to send it back to the House floor for further discussion and a vote. If the committee wishes to gather more information before making a decision, the bill is sent to a subcommittee for closer examination and to gather expert opinions. The subcommittee then sends the bill back to the committee for approval.

The conference committee

The committee's discussions and negotiations are guided by specific rules and procedures. A quorum, or the minimum number of members required for a valid meeting, must be met. During the committee's deliberations, they may invite expert opinions and analyse the bill in detail, making amendments as they see fit.

Once the Conference Committee has reached an agreement, the revised bill is sent back to the House and Senate floors for further debate and voting. This process ensures that both chambers have the opportunity to consider and vote on the final version of the bill, incorporating the changes made by the committee.

What is a veto?

A veto is a legal power to unilaterally stop an official action, most commonly used by a president or monarch to stop a bill from becoming a law. The word "veto" comes from the Latin for "I forbid". The concept of a veto originated with the Roman offices of consul and tribune of the plebs, where either consul could block military or civil action by the other.

In the context of a bill becoming a law, a veto is when the president disagrees with a bill, thinks it is unnecessary, or feels it does not align with their agenda for the country. The president can then veto the bill, returning it to the chamber of Congress that originated it. There, the president's objections are read aloud, and the bill is debated again.

The veto power is defined in Article 1, Section 7 of the US Constitution. If the president does not veto or sign a bill within 10 days (excluding Sundays), it automatically becomes law. This is to prevent the president from killing legislation through inaction. If Congress has adjourned before the 10 days are up, the legislation does not become law, and this is called a "pocket veto".

In the US, a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate can override a presidential veto. However, some vetoes are absolute and cannot be overridden.

Creating laws at the state level

Firstly, a bill must be drafted by a Representative, who then seeks out other like-minded Representatives to support, or sponsor, the bill. The sponsor places the document in a box called the hopper, which sits beside the clerk's desk. The bill then needs to be introduced to the House of Representatives for consideration. Once a bill has been introduced, a bill clerk assigns it a number and a reading clerk reads the bill to all the Representatives. The Speaker of the House then sends the bill to one of the House standing committees.

The committee members review, research, and revise the bill, and may send it to a subcommittee for further examination and expert opinions. If the committee approves the bill, it is sent back to the House floor for debate and any final changes. It is then ready to be voted on. If the bill passes with a majority vote, it moves on to the Senate.

In the Senate, the bill goes through the same process as in the House of Representatives. If it passes with a majority vote in the Senate, it is sent to the President. The President can then choose to sign and pass the bill, refuse to sign or veto it, or do nothing (a pocket veto). If the President vetoes the bill, it is sent back to the House of Representatives, along with the President's reasons for the veto. If the House and Senate still support the bill, they can hold another vote, and if two-thirds of Representatives and Senators support it, the President's veto is overridden and the bill becomes a law.

Sponsors and cosponsors

Before a bill is introduced, it needs a sponsor. A sponsor is the person who submits the bill. Typically, a sponsor will want to ensure that other members of Congress will support the bill before they introduce it. This involves the sponsor talking with other representatives about the bill to gain their support. Once a bill has a sponsor and the support of some representatives, it is ready to be introduced.

Only Representatives can introduce bills in the U.S. House of Representatives. To introduce a bill, the sponsor places the document in a special box to the side of the clerk's desk called the hopper. When a bill is introduced, a bill clerk assigns it a number that begins with H.R. A reading clerk then reads the bill to all the Representatives, and the Speaker of the House sends the bill to one of the House standing committees.

The sponsor can then act as a guide for the bill as it passes through the various stages of the legislative process. They may also be called upon to explain the bill to other members of Congress and answer any questions or concerns they may have. Additionally, sponsors may work with cosponsors to build support for the bill and help ensure its passage.

Cosponsors are members of Congress who support a bill. They work with the sponsor to help move the bill through the legislative process and build support for it. Cosponsors can be very important in getting a bill passed, as they can provide additional expertise, resources, and influence. They can also help to negotiate and make compromises with other members of Congress to address their concerns and gain their support.

Frequently asked questions