How a Bill Becomes a Law Congress

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How a Bill Becomes a Law

Congress Makes Federal Laws • Remember- all laws made at the federal level are the “supreme law of the land” as established by the Supremacy Clause in Article IV Section 2 of the Constitution – Americans with Disabilities Act – Social Security Act – Civil Rights Act of 1957 – Controlled Substances Act

Step 1 - An Idea is Formed • The bill can come from a variety of sources: – Individual citizens, – Special interest groups – Corporations

Step 2 - The Bill is Introduced • Only a member of Congress can introduce the bill – The bill is read aloud to the house it is being introduced to • A bill can start in either the House of Representatives or the Senate – In the House- the bill is dropped into the hoper – In the Senate- the bill is read aloud and given to the clerk

Step 3 - The Bill is Assigned to Committee • Each House has standing committees – Public hearing take place so the entire issue may be considered – Experts give testimony • They “mark-up” (edit) the bill so it will pass on the floor. • A majority vote in committee will pass the bill to the floor of the House or the Senate • They can also “pigeonhole” or kill the bill in committee. – Not do anything with the bill

Step 4 -The Bill is Reported To the Floor (House of Reps) • If the bill is passed by the committee, it is sent to the whole House for debate and vote. – The committee has “reported the bill favorably to the floor. ” • The Speaker determines which bills are discussed and for how long. – Usually limited to 1 hour in the House of Representatives • Committee chairs and ranking members give out time to debate to other members. • The Bill is voted on – The bill must earn a majority of votes (218) to continue on its journey

Step 4 -The Bill is Reported To the Floor (Senate) • The Senate Majority Leader determines which bills are scheduled, when and for how long. • Debate in the Senate is unlimited. – Filibusters the use of prolonged speechmaking for the purpose of delaying legislative action • Can be used by the minority to block bills.

Step 5 - Bill Crosses Over to the Other House of Congress • The bill must go through the same process in each chamber of Congress

Step 6 - Conference Committee • Each house passes its own bill. – They made their own separate changes • Any differences must be ironed out and made into one bill. • The bill is considered by a conference committee – Made up of both House and Senate members. • They negotiate and compromise and send the combined bill back to both houses. • Both houses must once again pass the bill by 51%

Step 7 - Conference Committee • A majority in both houses is needed to pass the bill after the differences have been ironed out (51%). – In the House: 218 needed to control the House. (50. 1%) – In the Senate: 51 senators needed to pass the bill (and control the Senate). (51%)

Step 9 - The Bill is Sent to the President • The president can sign the bill if he wants it to become law. • The president can veto or reject the bill. . – Then the bill does not become a law • The president can choose not to act on the bill. – If Congress is in session, the bill becomes law after 10 days.

Step 10 - The Bill Becomes Law • If the president vetoes the bill, both Houses can reconsider the bill. • Two-thirds (67%) of both Houses are needed to override the President’s veto. – In the House: 369 needed for override – Senate: 67 needed for override

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