Revenue Bill To Law: The Congressional Journey

The process of a revenue bill becoming a law in the United States involves several steps and the collaboration of different branches of the government. The idea for a revenue 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 introduced, the bill is assigned to a committee, which will research, discuss, and make changes to it. The bill is then put before the chamber to be voted on. If it passes one body of Congress, it goes through a similar process in the other body. Once both bodies accept a bill, they must work out any differences and vote on the same version. If it passes, they present it to the President for approval. The President can either approve and sign the bill into law or refuse to approve it, which is called a veto. If the President chooses to veto, Congress can usually vote to override this, but if the bill remains unsigned when Congress is no longer in session, it will be vetoed by default, known as a pocket veto.

A revenue bill is introduced in the House

The process of a revenue bill becoming a law begins with its introduction in the House of Representatives. This is a prerogative of the House, as outlined in the Origination Clause (Article I, Section 7, Clause 1) of the U.S. Constitution. The clause stipulates that "all Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives".

The Origination Clause was included in the Constitution to ensure that persons elected directly by the people, in this case, the members of the House of Representatives, would have initial responsibility over tax decisions. This was part of the Great Compromise between small and large states during the drafting of the Constitution. The large states were unhappy with the disproportionate power of small states in the Senate, so the Origination Clause theoretically offsets the unrepresentative nature of the Senate.

Once a revenue bill is introduced in the House, it is assigned to a committee. The committee members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The bill is then put before the House chamber to be voted on. If the bill passes the House, it moves on to the Senate, where it goes through a similar process of research, discussion, changes, and voting.

It is important to note that while the Origination Clause requires revenue bills to originate in the House, the Senate is not prohibited from proposing amendments. The clause states that "the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills". However, the Senate may not originate bills for raising revenue.

It's sent to a House committee

Once a bill is introduced, it is sent to a House committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The bill is then put before that chamber to be voted on. If the bill passes one body of Congress, it goes to the other body to go through a similar process of research, discussion, changes, and voting.

The House committee will research the bill, discussing its potential impact and making changes where necessary. This is a crucial stage in the process as it allows for a detailed examination of the bill and its potential implications. The committee members will likely consult with experts, stakeholders, and the public to gather input and ensure that the bill is thoroughly vetted. This stage also provides an opportunity for negotiation and compromise, as various interests and perspectives are considered.

During this stage, the committee members will also make amendments to the bill. Amendments are changes or additions to the bill's text, and they can be proposed by any member of the committee. Amendments are an essential part of the legislative process, as they allow for the improvement and refinement of the bill. They can address concerns, clarify language, or incorporate new ideas. The committee will debate and vote on each amendment, shaping the final version of the bill that will be presented to the full House.

The committee process is where the details of the bill are scrutinized and negotiated. It is a collaborative effort that involves members of the committee, as well as input from various stakeholders and the public. This stage is crucial in ensuring that the bill is well-crafted, addressing the intended issues while minimizing potential negative consequences. The committee's work lays the foundation for the bill's success in the next stages of the legislative process.

After the committee has completed its work, the bill is ready to be brought before the full House for a vote. At this point, all members of the House will have the opportunity to debate and vote on the bill, taking into account the research, discussions, and amendments that took place in the committee.

The bill is debated on the House floor

Once a bill has been introduced and assigned to a committee, it is then put before the chamber to be voted on. This is when the bill is debated on the House floor.

The House of Representatives is the only chamber that can initiate tax and revenue-related legislation. The House processes legislation through a majority vote, while the Senate does so through deliberation and debate prior to voting. The Senate may propose amendments to the bill, but it may not originate bills for raising revenue.

The bill is then put before the House for a vote. If the bill passes one body of Congress, it goes to the other body to go through a similar process of research, discussion, changes, and voting.

The House-origination requirement applies only to bills that levy taxes "in the strict sense". A statute that raises revenue to support the general functions of the government fits this category. If a bill with a revenue-raising provision originates in the House, the Origination Clause does not prevent the Senate from removing that revenue-raising provision and substituting another in its place.

A bill that lowers taxes instead of raising them may still be a bill for raising revenue, according to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

It's sent to the Senate

The process of how a revenue bill becomes a law involves several steps, and one of the most important steps is its consideration by the Senate. Once a revenue bill has been introduced and assigned to a committee in the House of Representatives, it is then put to a vote in that chamber. If the bill passes in the House, it moves on to the Senate for further deliberation.

The Senate plays a crucial role in shaping and refining the bill. While the Senate cannot initiate revenue-related legislation, it has the power to propose amendments and shape the final version of the bill. This ability to amend is a key aspect of the legislative process and allows the Senate to have a significant influence on the content and scope of the bill.

When the bill reaches the Senate, it goes through a similar process of research, discussion, and changes. The Senate, being an elected body, brings a different perspective to the bill and can suggest modifications that better reflect the needs and concerns of the people. This back-and-forth between the two chambers is a vital part of the legislative process, ensuring that laws are thoroughly vetted and reflect a broader consensus.

During this stage, the bill is carefully scrutinized by Senate committees, which may hold hearings, invite experts, and gather additional evidence to inform their decisions. This process can be lengthy and involves extensive negotiations between senators from both major parties. It is not uncommon for the Senate to make substantial changes to the bill, addressing concerns or adding provisions that were not initially considered by the House.

Once the Senate has completed its deliberations and made the desired amendments, the bill is then put to a vote in that chamber. If the bill passes the Senate with amendments, it returns to the House for further consideration of those amendments. This back-and-forth process, known as "concurrence," continues until both chambers agree on a single version of the bill.

The Senate's role in shaping revenue bills is a key aspect of the legislative process in the United States. It ensures that laws are carefully crafted, reflect a range of perspectives, and address the complex needs of a diverse nation.

The bill is sent to the President

Once a revenue bill has been passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is presented to the President of the United States. If the President approves of the bill, they will sign it into law. However, if the President does not approve, they must return the bill to the House in which it originated, along with their objections. The bill will then be reconsidered by that House, and if two-thirds of that House still agree to pass the bill, it will be sent to the other House, along with the President's objections, to be reconsidered. If two-thirds of that House also approve the bill, it will become a law.

If the President does not return the bill within ten days (excluding Sundays), it will become a law, unless Congress has adjourned, in which case it will not. This is known as a "pocket veto". The Supreme Court has ruled that this provision ensures that the President has a suitable opportunity to consider the bill, and that Congress has a suitable opportunity to consider the President's objections and potentially pass the bill over their veto.

The President is not restricted to signing a bill when Congress is in session. They may sign within ten days (excluding Sundays) of the bill being presented to them, even if that period extends beyond the date of Congress's final adjournment.

Frequently asked questions