The process of turning a proposed law into an actual law is complex and can be difficult to understand, even for the people and institutions tasked with doing it.
But knowing how it's supposed to work can help you participate in the legislative process and better understand the laws that govern our lives.
A bill becomes a law after being agreed upon by both chambers of Congress and signed by the President. Of course, that’s just a simple explanation of a complex series of steps.
How does a bill become a law
A bill must pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the President to become a law.
- Idea or concern raised
- Bill is introduced
- Referred to committee
- Committee hearings and markup
- Floor vote in the House
- Floor vote in the Senate
- Presidential action
- Bill becomes law
The process can take weeks, months, or even years, and there are many opportunities for the bill to be changed or defeated along the way.
Idea or concern raised
The first step in the process of turning an idea into a law is for someone to raise the idea or concern. This can be a member of Congress, a constituent, or an interest group.
- Personal experience
A member of Congress may have a personal experience that leads them to believe a law needs to be changed or created.
- Problem identified by constituents
Constituents may contact their members of Congress to share a problem they are facing and suggest a legislative solution.
- Research by interest groups
Interest groups often research and identify problems that they believe can be solved through legislation.
- Current events
A recent event, such as a natural disaster or a mass shooting, can raise awareness of an issue and lead to calls for new legislation.
Once an idea or concern has been raised, it is up to a member of Congress to introduce it as a bill.
Bill is introduced
Once an idea or concern has been raised, it is up to a member of Congress to introduce it as a bill. A bill is a proposed law that is drafted and submitted to Congress for consideration.
- Who can introduce a bill?
Any member of the House of Representatives or the Senate can introduce a bill.
- How to introduce a bill?
To introduce a bill, a member of Congress must submit it to the clerk of the House or the secretary of the Senate. The bill is then assigned a number and sent to the appropriate committee for consideration.
- What is in a bill?
A bill typically includes a title, a statement of purpose, and the actual text of the proposed law. It may also include a fiscal note, which estimates the cost of implementing the bill.
- What happens after a bill is introduced?
Once a bill is introduced, it is referred to the appropriate committee for consideration. The committee will hold hearings and debates on the bill, and may make changes to it. If the committee approves the bill, it will send it to the full House or Senate for a vote.
If the bill passes both chambers of Congress, it is sent to the President. The President can sign the bill into law, veto the bill, or allow it to become law without his signature.
Referred to committee
Once a bill is introduced, it is referred to the appropriate committee for consideration. Committees are groups of members of Congress who are experts in a particular area, such as agriculture, finance, or foreign affairs.
- How are committees chosen?
Committees are chosen by the leadership of the House and Senate.
- How many committees are there?
There are 20 standing committees in the House and 16 standing committees in the Senate.
- What do committees do?
Committees hold hearings and debates on bills, and may make changes to them. They also oversee the implementation of laws and investigate issues of public concern.
- What happens after a committee considers a bill?
If a committee approves a bill, it will send it to the full House or Senate for a vote. If a committee rejects a bill, it will typically be killed, although it is possible for a bill to be revived later.
The committee process is an important part of the legislative process. It allows members of Congress to learn more about a bill and its potential impact before it is voted on by the full House or Senate.
Committee hearings and markup
After a bill is referred to a committee, the committee will hold hearings and debates on the bill. Hearings are public meetings where members of the committee hear testimony from experts, stakeholders, and members of the public. Debates are discussions among the committee members about the bill and its potential impact.
- Who testifies at hearings?
Experts, stakeholders, and members of the public can testify at hearings. Experts can provide information about the issue that the bill addresses, while stakeholders can share their perspectives on the bill and its potential impact. Members of the public can also testify to share their views on the bill.
- What happens during a debate?
During a debate, committee members discuss the bill and its potential impact. They may also propose amendments to the bill.
- What is markup?
Markup is the process by which a committee considers and votes on amendments to a bill. During markup, committee members can propose changes to the bill, such as adding or removing provisions or changing the language of the bill.
- What happens after markup?
After markup, the committee will vote on whether to approve the bill, with or without amendments. If the bill is approved, it will be sent to the full House or Senate for a vote.
The committee hearing and markup process is an important part of the legislative process. It allows members of Congress to learn more about a bill and its potential impact before it is voted on by the full House or Senate.
Floor vote in the House
After a bill is approved by a committee, it is sent to the full House or Senate for a vote. In the House of Representatives, this is called a floor vote.
- How does a floor vote work?
During a floor vote, members of the House of Representatives vote on whether to approve or reject a bill. Members can vote "yea" to approve the bill, "nay" to reject the bill, or "present" to indicate that they are present but not voting.
- What happens if a bill passes a floor vote?
If a bill passes a floor vote in the House of Representatives, it is sent to the Senate for consideration.
- What happens if a bill fails a floor vote?
If a bill fails a floor vote in the House of Representatives, it is typically killed. However, it is possible for a bill to be revived later.
- What is a quorum?
A quorum is the minimum number of members of the House of Representatives who must be present for a floor vote to take place. A quorum is typically set at a majority of the membership of the House, which is 218 members.
The floor vote is an important step in the legislative process. It is the first time that the entire House of Representatives has the opportunity to vote on a bill.
Floor vote in the Senate
After a bill passes a floor vote in the House of Representatives, it is sent to the Senate for consideration. The process for a floor vote in the Senate is similar to the process in the House.
During a floor vote in the Senate, senators vote on whether to approve or reject a bill. Senators can vote "yea" to approve the bill, "nay" to reject the bill, or "present" to indicate that they are present but not voting. A bill needs a majority vote to pass the Senate, which is 51 votes.
If a bill passes a floor vote in the Senate, it is sent to the President for his signature. If the President signs the bill, it becomes law. If the President vetoes the bill, it is sent back to Congress. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.
The floor vote in the Senate is an important step in the legislative process. It is the first time that the entire Senate has the opportunity to vote on a bill.
The Senate also has a number of special rules that apply to floor votes. For example, a senator can filibuster a bill, which means that they can talk for as long as they want to prevent a vote from taking place. A filibuster can only be ended by a cloture vote, which requires 60 votes.
Presidential action
After a bill passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is sent to the President for his signature. The President has three options:
- Sign the bill into law
If the President signs the bill, it becomes law.
- Veto the bill
If the President vetoes the bill, it is sent back to Congress. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.
- Allow the bill to become law without his signature
If the President does nothing, the bill becomes law after 10 days (excluding Sundays). This is called a pocket veto.
The President's decision on whether to sign or veto a bill is an important part of the legislative process. The President can use his veto power to prevent bills that he disagrees with from becoming law.
Bill becomes law
A bill becomes a law after it has been passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and has been signed by the President. There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, a bill can become law if the President does not sign it within 10 days (excluding Sundays). This is called a pocket veto.
- What happens after a bill becomes law?
Once a bill becomes law, it is published in the Federal Register and goes into effect. The effective date of a law can vary, but it is typically 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
- How can I find out about new laws?
You can find out about new laws by reading the Federal Register or by visiting the website of the Government Publishing Office.
- How can I challenge a law?
If you believe that a law is unconstitutional, you can challenge it in court. You can also contact your elected representatives to express your concerns about a law.
- How can I stay informed about the legislative process?
You can stay informed about the legislative process by following news coverage of Congress, reading the Congressional Record, and visiting the websites of Congress and the Government Publishing Office.
The process of turning a bill into a law is complex and can be difficult to understand. However, it is an important process that helps to ensure that our laws are representative of the will of the people.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about how a bill becomes a law:
Question 1: How long does it take for a bill to become a law?
Answer 1: The time it takes for a bill to become a law can vary, but it typically takes several months or even years.
Question 2: Who can introduce a bill?
Answer 2: Any member of the House of Representatives or the Senate can introduce a bill.
Question 3: What happens after a bill is introduced?
Answer 3: After a bill is introduced, it is referred to the appropriate committee for consideration.
Question 4: What is a committee hearing?
Answer 4: A committee hearing is a public meeting where members of the committee hear testimony from experts, stakeholders, and members of the public.
Question 5: What is a floor vote?
Answer 5: A floor vote is a vote by the full House of Representatives or Senate on whether to approve or reject a bill.
Question 6: What happens after a bill passes a floor vote?
Answer 6: After a bill passes a floor vote, it is sent to the President for his signature. If the President signs the bill, it becomes law.
Question 7: What happens if the President does not sign a bill?
Answer 7: If the President does not sign a bill, it can become law without his signature after 10 days (excluding Sundays). This is called a pocket veto.
Question 8: How can I stay informed about the legislative process?
Answer 8: You can stay informed about the legislative process by following news coverage of Congress, reading the Congressional Record, and visiting the websites of Congress and the Government Publishing Office.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about how a bill becomes a law. For more information, please visit the websites of Congress and the Government Publishing Office.
If you are interested in learning more about how to get involved in the legislative process, here are a few tips:
Tips
Here are a few tips for getting involved in the legislative process:
Tip 1: Contact your elected representatives.
One of the best ways to get involved in the legislative process is to contact your elected representatives. You can call, write, or email them to share your views on a particular bill or issue. You can also attend town hall meetings or other events where you can meet with your representatives in person.
Tip 2: Join a citizen action group.
There are many citizen action groups that work to influence the legislative process. These groups typically focus on a particular issue, such as healthcare, education, or the environment. By joining a citizen action group, you can learn more about the legislative process and how to advocate for your views.
Tip 3: Testify before a legislative committee.
If you have expertise or personal experience with a particular issue, you may be able to testify before a legislative committee. This is a great opportunity to share your views with lawmakers and help them make informed decisions.
Tip 4: Run for office.
The most direct way to get involved in the legislative process is to run for office yourself. If you are passionate about a particular issue, running for office is a great way to make a difference.
Closing Paragraph for Tips
These are just a few tips for getting involved in the legislative process. By taking action, you can help to ensure that your voice is heard and that our laws reflect the will of the people.
The legislative process can be complex and challenging, but it is also an important part of our democracy. By understanding how a bill becomes a law and by getting involved in the process, you can help to make a difference.
Conclusion
The process of turning a bill into a law is complex and challenging, but it is also an important part of our democracy. By understanding how a bill becomes a law, we can better understand how our government works and how we can participate in the legislative process.
The main points of the legislative process are as follows:
- A bill is introduced by a member of Congress.
- The bill is referred to the appropriate committee for consideration.
- The committee holds hearings and debates on the bill.
- The committee votes on whether to approve the bill.
- If the bill is approved by the committee, it is sent to the full House or Senate for a vote.
- If the bill passes a floor vote, it is sent to the President for his signature.
- If the President signs the bill, it becomes law.
By participating in the legislative process, we can help to ensure that our laws reflect the will of the people.
Closing Message
The legislative process is an important part of our democracy, and it is important for all citizens to be informed about how it works. By understanding how a bill becomes a law, we can better understand how we can participate in the process and make our voices heard.