Who Makes A Bill, Law?

Bills are proposed new laws or changes to existing ones. They can be introduced by a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, or be proposed during their election campaign. Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a 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. Once both bodies vote to accept a bill, they must work out any differences between the two versions. Then both chambers vote on the same version of the bill. If it passes, they present it to the president. The president then has the choice to approve the bill and sign it into law, or refuse to approve it, which is called a veto. If the president chooses to veto a bill, in most cases, Congress can vote to override that veto and the bill becomes a law.

The bill is drafted

The first step in the process of a bill becoming a law is the drafting stage. This critical step involves transforming an idea or concept into a carefully worded proposal that can be presented to Congress for consideration. The drafting process is meticulous and precise, ensuring that the bill's language is clear, concise, and achieves the intended purpose without ambiguity.

Any member of Congress, including senators and representatives, can propose legislation. They often work closely with their staff, who play a crucial role in researching, drafting, and refining the bill's language. Expertise from various fields may be sought to ensure the bill is technically sound and feasible. For example, a bill related to healthcare policy might require input from medical professionals and legal experts to ensure it aligns with existing laws and regulations.

The drafting process involves several key steps. Firstly, the sponsor of the bill must identify the need or problem that the legislation aims to address. This could be a gap in existing laws, a social issue, or a response to changing circumstances. Once the issue is defined, the sponsor and their staff conduct extensive research to understand the topic comprehensively. They may consult experts, review existing laws, and analyze data to inform their approach.

The next step is to outline the bill's structure and content. This involves organizing the bill into sections, subsections, and clauses, each addressing a specific aspect of the issue. Careful consideration is given to the choice of words and phrases to ensure precision and avoid any potential loopholes. The language used must be consistent with existing legislative terminology to maintain clarity and avoid confusion.

During the drafting process, sponsors may also seek input from their colleagues, forming coalitions and building support for the bill. This collaborative approach can help identify potential issues, address concerns, and ensure the final draft is well-received by other members of Congress. Once the bill is drafted, it undergoes a thorough review process, including legal and procedural checks, to ensure it meets all the necessary requirements before it can be introduced in Congress.

The bill is assigned to a committee

Once a bill has been introduced, it is assigned to a committee. This committee is made up of groups of representatives who are experts on the topic of the bill. For example, a bill about agriculture would be assigned to a committee of representatives who are knowledgeable about that subject.

The committee will then review, research, and revise the bill. If the committee would like more information before deciding whether to send the bill back to the House floor, it is sent to a subcommittee. The subcommittee will closely examine the bill and gather expert opinions before sending it back to the committee for approval.

In the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House may set time limits on committees. Bills may be referred to more than one committee, and it may be split so that parts are sent to different committees. The Speaker of the House may also set time limits on committees. If a committee fails to act on a bill, it is the same as killing it.

Once the committee has approved a bill, it is sent back to the House floor to be debated.

The bill is voted on

Once a bill has been reported, it is ready to be debated by the U.S. House of Representatives. During the debate, Representatives discuss the bill and explain why they agree or disagree with it. Then, a reading clerk reads the bill section by section and the Representatives recommend changes. When 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 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 say or select 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.

The bill is sent to the second house

Once a bill has been approved by the House of Representatives, it is sent to the Senate, where it goes through a similar process of research, discussion, changes and voting.

The bill is first sent to a Senate committee, where members review, research and revise the bill before voting on whether to send it to the Senate floor. If the committee members would like more information before deciding, the bill is sent to a subcommittee, where it is closely examined and expert opinions are gathered. If the committee approves the bill, it is sent to the Senate floor, where it is debated and voted on. Senators vote by voice, with supporters saying "yea" and opponents saying "nay". If a majority of Senators say "yea", the bill passes in the Senate and is ready to be sent to the President.

The bill is signed into law

Once a bill has been passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is sent to the President to be signed into law. The President has three options:

• Sign the Bill: If the President approves of the bill, they will sign it, and it then becomes law.
• Veto the Bill: If the President disagrees with the bill, they can veto it, returning it to Congress with their objections. Congress can then reconsider the bill and attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.
• Take No Action: If the President does not sign or veto the bill within ten days and Congress is still in session, the bill automatically becomes law. However, if Congress adjourns before the ten days are up, this is known as a "pocket veto," and the bill does not become law.

The President's role in signing bills into law is an important part of the system of checks and balances within the US government, requiring collaboration between the legislative and executive branches to make laws.

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