A bill becomes law through a multi-step legislative process involving both the
House of Representatives and the Senate, followed by the President's approval:
1. Introduction and Sponsorship
A member of the House or Senate sponsors the bill and introduces it. The bill
is assigned a number and referred to the relevant committee for study
. 2. Committee and Subcommittee Review
The committee (and often a specialized subcommittee) examines the bill, holds
hearings to gather information and viewpoints, and may amend the bill. The
committee then votes to approve the bill, report it to the full chamber, or
table it (which kills the bill)
. 3. Floor Debate and Vote in the First Chamber
The full House or Senate debates the bill. Members may propose further
amendments. After debate, the chamber votes on the bill. A simple majority is
needed to pass it (218 of 435 in the House; 51 of 100 in the Senate)
. 4. Consideration in the Other Chamber
If passed, the bill is sent to the other chamber, where it undergoes a similar
committee review, debate, amendment, and vote process
. 5. Resolving Differences
If the House and Senate pass different versions, a conference committee made
up of members from both chambers works out the differences and produces a
compromise bill (conference report). Both chambers must then approve this
final version
. 6. Presidential Action
The enrolled bill is sent to the President, who can:
- Sign it into law
- Veto it (Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers)
- Take no action for 10 days while Congress is in session, in which case the bill becomes law automatically
- Pocket veto it by taking no action if Congress adjourns during the 10-day period, preventing the bill from becoming law
This process ensures thorough consideration and multiple opportunities for revision before a bill becomes law.
