Understanding The Legislative Process: Bill To Law

The process of a bill becoming a law is a complex one. In the United States, a bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. The idea for a 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 a bill is introduced, it 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 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, and if it passes, it is presented to the president. The president can approve the bill and sign it into law, or veto it. If the president chooses to veto a bill, Congress can vote to override that veto, and the bill becomes a law.

The bill is drafted

The process of turning a bill into a law begins with the drafting of the bill. Any member of Congress – either from the Senate or the House of Representatives – who has an idea for a law can draft a bill. These ideas can come from the Congress members themselves or from everyday citizens and advocacy groups. The primary Congress member supporting the bill is called the "sponsor", and other members who support the bill are called "co-sponsors".

Once the bill is drafted, it must be introduced. If a Representative is the sponsor, the bill is introduced in the House. If a Senator is the sponsor, the bill is introduced in the Senate. Once a bill is introduced, it can be found on Congress.gov, the official government website that tracks federal legislation.

The process of drafting a bill is an art that requires great skill, knowledge, and experience. In some instances, a draft is the result of a study covering a period of a year or more by a commission or committee designated by the President or a member of the Cabinet. Congressional committees also sometimes draft bills after studies and hearings covering periods of a year or more.

The bill is introduced

The process of turning a bill into a law begins with the introduction of a bill to Congress. Anyone can write a bill, but only members of Congress can introduce legislation. A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. The idea for a bill can come from a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives or be proposed during their election campaign. Bills can also be petitioned by citizens or citizen groups who recommend a new or amended law to a member of Congress that represents them.

Once a bill is drafted, it needs a sponsor. The sponsor is the primary Congress member supporting the bill. Other members who support the bill are called "co-sponsors". The Representative then talks with other Representatives about the bill, hoping to get their support. Once a bill has a sponsor and the support of some of the Representatives, it is ready to be introduced.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, a bill is introduced when it is placed in the hopper, a special box on the side of the clerk's desk. Only Representatives can introduce bills in the U.S. House of Representatives. 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 committee members review, research, and revise the bill before voting on whether or not to send it back to the House floor. If the committee members would like more information before deciding, the bill is sent to a subcommittee. The subcommittee will then closely examine the bill and gather expert opinions before sending it back to the committee for approval.

If the committee approves a bill, it is sent or reported to the House floor, where it is ready to be debated by the U.S. House of Representatives. Representatives discuss the bill and explain why they agree or disagree with it. A reading clerk then reads the bill section by section, and Representatives recommend changes. When all changes have been made, the bill is ready to be voted on.

The bill goes to committee

Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The committee members are groups of Representatives who are experts on specific topics, such as agriculture, education, or international relations. They review, research, and revise the bill before voting on whether or not to send it back to the House floor.

If the committee members would like more information before deciding, the bill is sent to a subcommittee. While in the subcommittee, the bill is closely examined, and expert opinions are gathered before it is sent back to the committee for approval. Subcommittees are organised under committees and have further specialisation on a certain topic. Committees may refer bills to a subcommittee for study and hearings.

The committee will then hold a "mark-up" session, making revisions and additions. If substantial amendments are made, the committee can order the introduction of a "clean bill" that will include the proposed amendments. This new bill will have a new number and will be sent to the floor while the old bill is discarded. If a committee votes not to report legislation to the full chamber of Congress, the bill dies. If the committee votes in favour of the bill, it is reported to the floor. This procedure is called "ordering a bill reported".

Once the bill is reported, the committee staff prepares a written report explaining why they favour the bill and why they wish to see their amendments, if any, adopted. Committee members who oppose a bill sometimes write a dissenting opinion in the report. The report is sent back to the whole chamber and is placed on the calendar.

The bill is reported

Once a bill has been introduced and referred to a committee, it begins the journey through the legislative process. This stage involves scrutiny, debate, and potential amendment. The committee plays a crucial role in examining the bill and reporting back to the full chamber. This report is a critical step in the progress of the bill and can shape its future. Here's an overview of what happens during this stage:

Committee Deliberations:

The committee assigned to review the bill will schedule hearings and invite witnesses to testify. These witnesses can include experts, stakeholders, and members of the public who have knowledge or opinions about the bill's subject matter. During these hearings, committee members can ask questions, discuss the bill's provisions, and consider potential amendments. This process allows for a detailed examination of the bill and its potential impact.

Mark-up Sessions:

During mark-up sessions, the committee members debate and vote on amendments to the bill. These amendments can be proposed by any member of the committee and may include changes to the bill's language, the addition or removal of provisions, or even the complete rewrite of certain sections. Mark-up sessions can be lengthy and involve intense negotiations among committee members.

Committee Vote:

After the mark-up process, the committee holds a final vote to determine whether to approve the bill and send it back to the full chamber for further consideration. This vote typically follows party lines, but it can also involve bipartisan support or opposition, depending on the nature of the bill. If the committee approves the bill, it is then "reported" back to the chamber.

Report and Publication:

The committee produces a written report explaining the purpose of the bill, any amendments made, and the reasons for their recommendations. This report is published and made available to all members of the chamber. It serves as a guide for other legislators to understand the bill's history, intent, and potential impact.

Calendar and Scheduling:

Once the bill is reported, it is placed on the chamber's calendar for future consideration. The majority party typically controls the scheduling of bills, and the timing of when a reported bill will be taken up for a vote can vary. Some bills may be scheduled for a vote quickly, while others may languish on the calendar for extended periods.

In summary, the "bill is reported" stage is a critical step in the legislative process. It involves committee deliberations, mark-up sessions, and a committee vote. This stage ensures that the bill is thoroughly examined, amended if necessary, and reported back to the full chamber for further consideration and potential enactment into law. The committee's report and recommendations play a vital role in shaping the bill's future and providing transparency in the legislative process.

The bill is voted on

Once a bill has been introduced, assigned to a committee, and researched, discussed, and changed by the committee, it is then put before the chamber to be voted on. The bill is voted on by the members of the chamber. There are three methods for voting on a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives: viva voce, division, and recorded. In a viva voce vote, the Speaker of the House asks the Representatives who support the bill to say "aye" and those that oppose it to say "no." In a division vote, 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. In a recorded vote, 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 vote 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 process in the Senate is similar. Senators vote by voice. Those who support the bill say "yea," and those who oppose it say "nay." If a majority of the Senators say "yea," the bill passes in the U.S. Senate and is ready to go to the President.

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