Keith Mack
Thousands of bills are introduced in Congress each year, but only a few become laws. The process of a bill becoming a law is lengthy and complex, and it involves the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the President. The infographic outlines the steps a bill must go through to become a law, from its introduction in Congress to the President's desk, highlighting the points at which a bill can die and the members of the government involved in the legislative process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where is the bill introduced? | Either house of the United States Congress (the Senate or the House of Representatives) |
| Who introduces the bill? | One or more senators or representatives "sponsor" the bill and introduce it to their fellow legislators |
| What happens after introduction? | The proposed bill is assigned to a committee, which conducts research and proposes changes to the bill |
| What happens on the House or Senate floor? | Members of Congress can propose changes before they vote. Amendments are added. |
| What happens after the vote? | The bill is sent to the president if the majority in both houses pass the same version of the bill |
| What can the president do? | The president can sign the bill, making it a law, or veto it, which rejects it and sends the bill back to Congress |
| What happens if the president does nothing? | If the president takes no action for 10 days while Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes law |
| What is a pocket veto? | If Congress adjourns during the 10-day window, the president can choose not to sign and the bill expires |
What You'll Learn
How a bill is proposed
The process of a bill becoming a law is a lengthy one, and many bills don't make it through. All laws start as bills in Congress, and the first introduction of a bill can happen in either house of the United States Congress: the Senate or the House of Representatives.
A bill is proposed when one or more senators or representatives "sponsor" the bill and introduce it to their fellow legislators. The proposed bill is then assigned to a committee, which conducts research and proposes changes to the bill. The bill is referred to a House or Senate committee or subcommittee, which marks up the bill with changes. The committee then votes on the bill, and it is put on the House or Senate calendar.
The process of proposing a bill is just the first step in the journey towards becoming a law. After being proposed, the bill will then go to the House or Senate floor for debate, where members of Congress can propose changes before voting on the bill. For a bill to reach the president's desk, the majority in both houses must pass the same version of the bill.
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Assigning a bill to a committee
Once a bill has been introduced by a senator or representative, it is then assigned to a committee. This committee will be either a House committee or a Senate committee, depending on where the bill was introduced. The committee will conduct research and propose changes to the bill. This process is known as "marking up the bill".
Committees are assigned specific tasks and have jurisdiction over specific issues. For example, the House Committee on Agriculture has jurisdiction over all issues relating to agriculture, while the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions has jurisdiction over all issues relating to those four areas. There are also subcommittees that fall under each committee, which focus on more specific issues. For instance, the House Committee on Agriculture has subcommittees for Livestock and Foreign Agriculture, among others.
After the committee has marked up the bill, it is then put to a vote by the full committee. If the bill passes this vote, it is then put on the relevant calendar for the House or Senate. At this stage, the bill is ready to be debated and amended on the floor of the House or Senate.
The committee stage is an important part of the legislative process, as it allows for a more detailed examination of the bill and gives members of the committee the opportunity to propose changes. This helps to ensure that the bill is thoroughly vetted before it moves forward in the legislative process.
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The bill is reported
Once a bill has been introduced, it is assigned to a committee, which conducts research and proposes changes to the bill. The committee may make amendments to the bill, and then it is voted on by the full committee. The committee will then report on the bill and it is put on the House or Senate calendar. The bill is then read and debated, with further amendments added.
The process of reporting a bill is a critical stage in its journey to becoming law. It is during this stage that the bill is formally presented to the full chamber of the House or Senate for the first time. The report includes the committee's findings, any proposed amendments, and a recommendation on whether the bill should be passed. This stage is important as it allows all members of the House or Senate to review the bill and its proposed changes before casting their votes.
After the bill is reported, it is then ready to be voted on by the full House or Senate. This is a critical step, as the majority in both houses must pass the same version of the bill before it can be sent to the president for their approval.
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The bill is voted on
Once a bill has been introduced, assigned to a committee, and debated on the House or Senate floor, it is ready to be voted on. Members of Congress can propose changes before the vote takes place. The bill must pass a full vote in both the House and the Senate, with a majority in both houses passing the same version of the bill. If the other chamber has a similar bill, a joint committee will resolve the differences. If the other chamber has no similar bill, the bill must pass a vote in the other chamber before going to the president.
The process of voting on a bill can be complex and lengthy. There are several procedures that can be used to prevent a vote on a bill, such as a filibuster, which is an informal term for extended debate. A filibuster can be used to "talk a bill to death" and prevent it from being voted on.
After a bill has been voted on and passed by both the House and the Senate, it is sent to the president. The president has several options at this stage. They can choose to sign the bill, which will make it a law. Alternatively, they may veto the bill, which rejects it and sends it back to Congress. If the president takes no action for 10 days while Congress is in session, the bill will automatically become law. However, if Congress adjourns during this 10-day window, the president can choose not to sign, and the bill will expire—this is known as a "pocket veto."
The process of a bill becoming a law involves multiple steps and can face various obstacles. The voting stage is a crucial part of this process, as it involves the input and decision-making of the members of Congress and the president.
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The bill is sent to the president
Once a bill has passed Congress, it is sent to the president, who has several options. The president can choose to sign the bill, thereby making it a law. On the other hand, the president can veto the bill, which means it is rejected and sent back to Congress. Alternatively, the president can choose to take no action, in which case the bill will automatically become law after 10 days as long as Congress remains in session. However, if Congress adjourns during this 10-day period, the president can opt not to sign, and the bill will expire. This is known as a "pocket veto."
The president's role in the legislative process is crucial, as their decision directly impacts whether a bill becomes a law or not. Their approval is necessary for a bill to become law, and they have the power to veto it and send it back to Congress for further consideration. The "pocket veto" is an interesting aspect of this process, as it allows the president to indirectly block a bill by taking no action and allowing Congress to adjourn.
When a bill reaches the president's desk, it has already undergone a rigorous process in Congress, including being introduced, assigned to committees, debated, and voted on. At this stage, the president's decision is final, and their signature is required for the bill to become law. However, even if the president vetoes the bill, Congress can still override the veto by voting again and achieving a two-thirds majority in favour of the bill. This showcases 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 decision to sign or veto a bill can have significant implications for the country. Signing a bill into law means it will become a legally binding rule that must be followed by citizens and enforced by the appropriate authorities. On the other hand, vetoing a bill can prevent potentially controversial or harmful legislation from becoming law, allowing for further discussion and consideration by Congress. The president's role, therefore, carries a great deal of responsibility and power in shaping the country's legal landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is the introduction of the bill, which can be done in either house of the United States Congress—the Senate or the House of Representatives.
The bill is then assigned to a committee, which conducts research and proposes changes. After this, the bill goes to the House or Senate floor for debate, where members of Congress can propose further changes before voting on the bill.
If the president does not approve of the bill, they can veto it, sending it back to Congress. If Congress adjourns during the 10-day window after the bill has passed Congress, the president can also choose to do nothing, which is called a "pocket veto," and the bill will expire.
