How a Bill How a Bill Becomes a Becomes a

LawLaw

Introduction of a BillIntroduction of a Bill There are four basic types of legislation: bills; There are four basic types of legislation: bills;

joint resolutions; concurrent resolutions; and joint resolutions; concurrent resolutions; and simple resolutions. simple resolutions.

An idea for a bill may come from anybody, An idea for a bill may come from anybody, however only Members of Congress can introduce however only Members of Congress can introduce a bill. Bills can be introduced at any time the a bill. Bills can be introduced at any time the House is in session. House is in session.

A Representative or Senator who introduces a bill A Representative or Senator who introduces a bill becomes that bill's sponsor. A bill may also have becomes that bill's sponsor. A bill may also have cosponsors. cosponsors.

A bill's type must be determined. A private bill A bill's type must be determined. A private bill affects a specific person or organization rather affects a specific person or organization rather than the population at large. A public bill is one than the population at large. A public bill is one that affects the general public. that affects the general public.

Propose a BillPropose a Bill In the House, a proposed bill is introduced In the House, a proposed bill is introduced

by placing it in a special box known as by placing it in a special box known as the "hopper," which is located at the the "hopper," which is located at the rostrum, or speaker's platform. rostrum, or speaker's platform.

In the Senate, a proposed bill is In the Senate, a proposed bill is introduced by placing it on the Presiding introduced by placing it on the Presiding Officer's desk or by formally introducing it Officer's desk or by formally introducing it on the Senate Floor. on the Senate Floor.

Propose a BillPropose a Bill In the House, the Clerk will In the House, the Clerk will

assign the bill a number. assign the bill a number. House bills begin with the House bills begin with the letters "H.R.," Senate bills letters "H.R.," Senate bills begin with an "S." begin with an "S."

The first reading of a The first reading of a proposed bill is complete proposed bill is complete when the bill is referred to a when the bill is referred to a committee for study. committee for study.

The Thomas Web site by the The Thomas Web site by the Library of Congress receives Library of Congress receives an electronic copy of the bill. an electronic copy of the bill. The bill and its status are The bill and its status are posted online for everyone to posted online for everyone to read. read.

Committee ActionCommittee Action There are 19 House standing committees and 16 Senate There are 19 House standing committees and 16 Senate

committees. committees. Once the bill is sent to a committee, it is placed on their Once the bill is sent to a committee, it is placed on their

calendar. Often the committee's first action on a bill is to calendar. Often the committee's first action on a bill is to send the bill to a subcommittee for study. send the bill to a subcommittee for study.

A committee may simply stop action or "table" a bill, when A committee may simply stop action or "table" a bill, when a committee decides the bill is unwise or unnecessary. a committee decides the bill is unwise or unnecessary.

A committee will meet to markup the proposed bill and A committee will meet to markup the proposed bill and may or may not make changes to it. may or may not make changes to it.

Committee members vote to accept or reject the changes. Committee members vote to accept or reject the changes. The Thomas Web site by the Library of Congress posts the The Thomas Web site by the Library of Congress posts the

status of the bill and receives updates for the latest major status of the bill and receives updates for the latest major action on the bill taken by the Committee. action on the bill taken by the Committee.

The text of the bill may change throughout the legislative The text of the bill may change throughout the legislative process. Each version of a bill is posted on the Thomas process. Each version of a bill is posted on the Thomas Web site, under "Text of Legislation." Web site, under "Text of Legislation."

Report by CommitteeReport by Committee The committee votes on the bill after The committee votes on the bill after

it is debated and/or amended. it is debated and/or amended. The bill is then sent to the House The bill is then sent to the House

floor for consideration. floor for consideration. The Thomas Web site by the Library The Thomas Web site by the Library

of Congress receives updates for the of Congress receives updates for the status of the bill while in Committee status of the bill while in Committee and posts the latest major action. and posts the latest major action.

SubcommitteeSubcommittee Once the bill is sent to a subcommittee, it is Once the bill is sent to a subcommittee, it is

placed on their calendar for study. placed on their calendar for study. Subcommittees hold hearings, giving experts, Subcommittees hold hearings, giving experts,

supporters, and opponents a chance to voice supporters, and opponents a chance to voice their views. their views.

A bill is tabled when a subcommittee decides the A bill is tabled when a subcommittee decides the bill is unwise or unnecessary. bill is unwise or unnecessary.

If changes are needed, a subcommittee will meet If changes are needed, a subcommittee will meet to markup the bill. to markup the bill.

Subcommittee members vote to accept or reject Subcommittee members vote to accept or reject the changes. the changes.

Consider the BillConsider the Bill Floor action begins. Floor action begins. Members debate the bill. Members debate the bill. Following debate, the second reading of the bill Following debate, the second reading of the bill

begins in a section-by-section manner, during begins in a section-by-section manner, during which amendments may be offered. which amendments may be offered.

At the conclusion of all amendment debate, the At the conclusion of all amendment debate, the bill is put to a vote in the House and is read a bill is put to a vote in the House and is read a third time. third time.

Current floor proceedings, including major actions Current floor proceedings, including major actions on bills, are posted for public view by the Clerk of on bills, are posted for public view by the Clerk of the House. the House.

Vote on a BillVote on a Bill The bill is read by title only and put to a vote. The bill is read by title only and put to a vote. Members in attendance will vote to pass or not to pass Members in attendance will vote to pass or not to pass

the bill. the bill. Most voting in the House chamber is done Most voting in the House chamber is done

electronically by Members recording their votes electronically by Members recording their votes through the Electronic Voting System. through the Electronic Voting System.

Roll Call votes cast by the U.S. House of Roll Call votes cast by the U.S. House of Representatives are recorded in the House Journal, the Representatives are recorded in the House Journal, the Congressional Record, and posted on the Web site of Congressional Record, and posted on the Web site of the Clerk of the House. the Clerk of the House.

Members of the Senate cast their votes by non-Members of the Senate cast their votes by non-electronic means. electronic means.

Members may vote "Yea" for approval, "Nay" for Members may vote "Yea" for approval, "Nay" for disapprovaldisapproval

Refer to Second ChamberRefer to Second Chamber The bill may be sent to a committee for study or The bill may be sent to a committee for study or

markup. markup. Members may choose to ignore the bill and Members may choose to ignore the bill and

continue to work on their own legislation. continue to work on their own legislation. Debate in the Senate is not limited where cloture Debate in the Senate is not limited where cloture

requires 60 votes. An ongoing Senate debate is requires 60 votes. An ongoing Senate debate is known as a filibuster and is used to hold the floor known as a filibuster and is used to hold the floor and defeat a bill. and defeat a bill.

Members may vote to pass or not to pass the bill. Members may vote to pass or not to pass the bill. If the bill passes with different language, it must If the bill passes with different language, it must

be sent to a conference committee. be sent to a conference committee. Differences must be agreed upon before the bill is Differences must be agreed upon before the bill is

sent to the President for signature. At this point sent to the President for signature. At this point the bill is "enrolled." the bill is "enrolled."

Final ActionFinal Action The President may sign the bill into law or The President may sign the bill into law or

veto its passage. veto its passage. If the president takes no action for ten If the president takes no action for ten

days and Congress is in session, the bill days and Congress is in session, the bill becomes law. becomes law.

A pocket veto occurs when the president A pocket veto occurs when the president takes no action and Congress has takes no action and Congress has adjourned its session. In this case, the bill adjourned its session. In this case, the bill dies. dies.

Law is CreatedLaw is Created The bill becomes a The bill becomes a

law! law!

VetoVeto The bill returns to the House of origin. The bill returns to the House of origin. Objections are read and debated. Objections are read and debated. If the House wishes to override the If the House wishes to override the

veto, a vote is taken. veto, a vote is taken. If the House chooses not to vote, the If the House chooses not to vote, the

bill is stalled. bill is stalled. A two-thirds vote or greater is needed A two-thirds vote or greater is needed

in both Houses to override the in both Houses to override the President's veto. President's veto.

Got all of that?Got all of that?Maybe this will help:Maybe this will help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ

School House RockSchool House Rock