How a bill becomes a law…

The House VersionThe House Version

House of Representatives -

A bill idea may be introduced by any citizen but only a member of the House may propose legislation. (hopper)

House of Representatives -

A bill idea may be introduced by any citizen but only a member of the House may propose legislation. (hopper)

Step OneStep One

Bill is introduced by a member of the House of Representatives.

Bill is introduced by a member of the House of Representatives.

Step TwoStep Two

Bill is given a number and assigned to a committee to begin the legislation process.

(H.F. - and the number it was received in)

Bill is given a number and assigned to a committee to begin the legislation process.

(H.F. - and the number it was received in)

Step ThreeStep Three

After the bill has been assigned to a committee, the committee has three options:

A) Kill the bill

B) Pigeonhole the bill (Most common)

C) Send the bill onto the full House for consideration

After the bill has been assigned to a committee, the committee has three options:

A) Kill the bill

B) Pigeonhole the bill (Most common)

C) Send the bill onto the full House for consideration

Step FourStep Four

Bill is debated on the House Floor if the leadership of the House wants to consider the bill for a full vote. Once that decision is made, the House can

either: A) defeat the bill B) pass the bill * Note that the Senate process is the same

for Steps 1-4 but that any money bills must originate in the House of Representatives.

Bill is debated on the House Floor if the leadership of the House wants to consider the bill for a full vote. Once that decision is made, the House can

either: A) defeat the bill B) pass the bill * Note that the Senate process is the same

for Steps 1-4 but that any money bills must originate in the House of Representatives.

Step FiveStep Five

The House version of the bill and the Senate version of the bill must be sent to a Conference Committee to revise the bill and then resubmit the bills to both chambers for voting.

The House version of the bill and the Senate version of the bill must be sent to a Conference Committee to revise the bill and then resubmit the bills to both chambers for voting.

Step Five (Cont.)Step Five (Cont.)

If there are major differences in the two versions of the bill, the bill must go back to the House and the Senate for revisions.

Bills with strong support will be revised and voted upon quickly by the two houses.

However, if one of the two houses is reluctant on the bill or the leadership is, the bill may be sent back to a committee for revisions.

If there are major differences in the two versions of the bill, the bill must go back to the House and the Senate for revisions.

Bills with strong support will be revised and voted upon quickly by the two houses.

However, if one of the two houses is reluctant on the bill or the leadership is, the bill may be sent back to a committee for revisions.

Step SixStep Six

Revisions are made if needed and then the two houses must vote on the new bill now identical in form for each chambers approval.

In order for a bill to pass, only a simple majority of members present is needed. Only if it is a treaty or other type of special legislation must it be by two-thirds votes in both chambers.

Revisions are made if needed and then the two houses must vote on the new bill now identical in form for each chambers approval.

In order for a bill to pass, only a simple majority of members present is needed. Only if it is a treaty or other type of special legislation must it be by two-thirds votes in both chambers.

Step SevenStep Seven

The bill approved by both houses is now sent onto the President were either:

A) The President signs the bill and it becomes law.

B) The President does not sign the bill and Congress is in session for 10 days and the bill automatically becomes law.

The bill approved by both houses is now sent onto the President were either:

A) The President signs the bill and it becomes law.

B) The President does not sign the bill and Congress is in session for 10 days and the bill automatically becomes law.

OROR

C) The President vetoes the bill thereby killing the bill process.

D) The President does not sign the bill and Congress is adjourned for 10 days and bill is automatically vetoed and thus, it is dead. (Pocket Veto)

C) The President vetoes the bill thereby killing the bill process.

D) The President does not sign the bill and Congress is adjourned for 10 days and bill is automatically vetoed and thus, it is dead. (Pocket Veto)

If the bill is vetoed, the two chambers have three options:

If the bill is vetoed, the two chambers have three options:

A) Revise the bill to meet the President’s expectations or desires.

B) Forget about the bill, put in back into the hopper, and try again later or next session.

C) Attempt an override of the President’s Veto.

A) Revise the bill to meet the President’s expectations or desires.

B) Forget about the bill, put in back into the hopper, and try again later or next session.

C) Attempt an override of the President’s Veto.

However, any override must have at least a two-thirds majority to be successful.

However, any override must have at least a two-thirds majority to be successful.

OverridesOverrides

Note that overrides are not very common especially if the House and the Senate are of the same political party as the President.

If the House is of a different party than the President, an override attempt is more likely but there may be political ramifications on future bills they submit to the President or the Senate so an override is not very likely.

Overrides are not very common at the federal level.

Note that overrides are not very common especially if the House and the Senate are of the same political party as the President.

If the House is of a different party than the President, an override attempt is more likely but there may be political ramifications on future bills they submit to the President or the Senate so an override is not very likely.

Overrides are not very common at the federal level.

How a bill becomes a law…

The House VersionThe House Version