SCMS Civics - Chapter 6, Section 4
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A bill becomes a law through an 8 step process: 1) An idea is introduced by a member of Congress, 2) The bill is assigned a number and sent to committee, 3) The committee considers the bill and may amend it or reject it, 4) If approved by committee, the bill goes to a House or Senate floor vote, 5) If passed, the bill goes to the other body and must pass there, 6) If passed by both bodies, the bill goes to the President, 7) The President can sign it into law, veto it, or do nothing and let it become law automatically.
SCMS Civics - Chapter 6, Section 4
- 1. How A Bill Becomes a Law
- 2. Step 1 Every Bill starts out as an idea These ideas can come from Congress , private citizens or from the White House Special Interest Groups may also try to influence Congress to write a Bill
- 3. Step 2 Every Bill must start out and be introduced by a Congressman – either a Senator or a House Member Every Bill is given a title and number when it is introduced – H.R.1 or S.1
- 4. Step 3 After it is introduced, each Bill is then sent to the standing committee that seems most qualified to handle it.
- 5. Step 4 Committees receive hundreds of Bills and they decide the life or death of these bills Those that hold merit are sent to a subcommittee to research (public hearings may be held)
- 6. Step 5 The subcommittee will report to the standing committee who will decide if the Bill should Pass without changes Have changes and pass it along Replace the Bill with a alternative one Kill the Bill
- 7. Step 6 If a Bill is approved by the committee, then it is ready for consideration by the full House or the Senate . When Bills reach the floor, the members argue their pros and cons The Senate (only) can add riders The Senate also allows filibusters which can only be stopped by a 3/5ths vote for cloture
- 8. Step 7 When members of Congress are ready to vote they may do so by Voice Vote Standing Vote Roll-call or today’s Computerized Vote A simple majority is all that is needed to pass a Bill. If either house refuses to pass it, it dies The Bill must be passed in identical formats in both houses – conference committees may be needed
- 9. Step 8 Presidential Action is the final step Veto: refuse to sign Congress can override the veto with a 2/3rds vote in each house – very unlikely Sign the Bill into Law Do nothing for 10 days In session – the Bill becomes a Law Out of session – the Bill dies – POCKET VETO
- 10. The End