Bills become laws through a formal approval process that varies by country but generally involves a key figure who signs the bill to enact it into law.
United States
- After a bill passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is sent to the President.
- The President can sign the bill into law or veto it.
- If the President signs the bill, it officially becomes law.
- If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers to make it law without the President’s signature.
- If the President takes no action for 10 days while Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes law.
- If Congress adjourns within those 10 days and the President does not sign, the bill does not become law (pocket veto).
Thus, in the U.S., the President signs bills to become laws
United Kingdom
- Bills must be approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
- After both Houses agree on the final text, the bill is sent to the monarch for Royal Assent.
- The monarch’s signature (Royal Assent) is the final step for a bill to become an Act of Parliament (law).
- The monarch’s refusal to grant assent is extremely rare and has not occurred since 1708.
Therefore, in the UK, the monarch signs bills to become laws
Canada
- Bills must be passed in identical form by both the House of Commons and the Senate.
- The Governor General, representing the Monarch, grants Royal Assent to the bill.
- Once Royal Assent is given, the bill becomes law.
- Royal Assent may be given by the Governor General signing the bill or by a traditional ceremony.
Hence, in Canada, the Governor General (on behalf of the Monarch) signs bills to become laws
Summary
Country| Who Signs Bills to Become Laws
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United States| The President
United Kingdom| The Monarch (Royal Assent)
Canada| The Governor General (Royal Assent)
In all cases, the signing authority is the final step that formally enacts a bill into law.
