How a Bill Becomes a Law

Civics

Types of legislation• Bills: thousands are introduced, few

become laws• Public bills: involve national issues• Private bills: deals with groups or

individuals (less in number)• Resolutions: may be passed by either

house, or jointly. Do not involve the President! (Doesn’t have the force)

Why do so few bills become laws?• Less than 5%• Process is long &

complex (100 steps)• Measures must have strong support• Supporters must be willing to

compromise• Some bills introduced that don’t have

any chance (however, logrolling helps)

The Lawmaking Process

A bill can be written by anyone, not just Congress or the President!

1) Introducing a Bill

Only Congressman can introduce it on the

floor

The “hopper” is a box

2) Committee Action

Bills spend most of their time here. Both houses usually agree on decision of members

Sometimes bills must go to subcommittees. Most bills DIE in committee

3) Floor Action

This is where debate takes place (2nd reading)Amendments are added (sometimes strategy)

3) Floor Action

Once a Bill passes this stage, it must receive a majority vote in BOTH the House and Senate (A quorum is required)

4) Conference Committee

Bills go here because they must be passed in identical form!The differences are worked out by “conferees”

Back to the Floor!

The bill then goes back to both houses for vote

5) Presidential Action

There are several types of vetoes: including pocket (last 10 days) and line-itemOverriding takes a 2/3 vote by both houses

A flow chart of process: