How a Bill Becomes Law

Less than 5% of all bills become laws. Why?

• Lawmaking is long and complicated. – There can be up to 100 steps to take to pass a bill into law. Groups that

oppose a bill can amend the bill or kill it at many steps along the way.

• Because lawmaking has so many steps, sponsors of a bill must be willing to bargain and compromise with lawmakers and interest groups.– Bills that powerful interest groups oppose most likely will not be passed.

• Members of Congress may introduce bills they know have no chance of passing just to show their support on an idea or issue to satisfy their constituents or gain media attention.– If Bill does not pass, they can blame other lawmakers and report they took

action.

How a Bill Becomes A Law

Representative hands Bill to clerk or drops it

into “hopper”

Senator is recognizedAnd bill is announced

On floor

HOUSE SENATE

Bill is given HR number

Bill is given S number

COMMITTEE ACTION

Referred to House Standing Committee

Bill placed on Committee Calendar

Referred to SenateStanding Committee

Referred to HouseSubcommittee; ruled on

Bill sent to subcommitteeFor hearings/revisions

Referred to SenateSubcommittee

Rules set for debateAnd amendments

Standing Comm. can recommend passage or

Kill bill

Reported on by Standing Committee

COMMITTEE ACTION

• In each house of Congress, the new bills are sent to the committees that deal with their subject matter.

• The committee can (under the leadership of the chairperson):

– Ignore the bill and simply let it die. This is called “pigeon-holing”. – Kill a bill by majority vote. – Recommend the bill be adopted without changes.– Rewrite the bill (amend)

• Once the Committee decides to act, they will hold hearings to listen to testimony on those who are interested in the bill, experts, etc. so they can gather information. – After the hearings, they decide what, if any changes are needed on the bill. – They then decide to kill it or “report” it—(send it back to House or Senate with report

which gives information on the bill, changes and their opinions)

FLOOR ACTION

CONFERENCE ACTION

1. House debates; votes2. Bill passes; goes to

Senate for approvalOR

A different version passes And goes to committee

1. Senate debates; votes2. Bill passes; goes to

House for approvalOR

A different version passesAnd goes to committee

Conference committee works out differences and send identicalCompromised bill to both chambers for final approval

House votes on Compromised bill

Senate votes on Compromised bill

PASS

Floor Action• During floor action, the bill receives a second reading of the bill section by

section and after each section is read, amendments can be offered.

• Opponents of the bill often propose amendments that will slow the bill down or kill it. – Amendments can only be added if the majority of the House or Senate agree.

• The bill can now be voted on if a majority (quorum) of members are present.

House members vote in three ways:– Voice vote—members call out together “aye” or “no” and the Speaker decides which

have most votes– Standing vote—those in favor of the votes are counted– Recorded vote—votes are recorded electronically

Senate members vote in three ways: – Voice vote—members call out together “aye” or “no” and the Speaker decides which

have most votes– Standing vote—those in favor of the votes are counted– Roll Call—Senators call our “aye” or “no” as their names are called. *Most common

PASS

APPROVED BILL SENT TO PRESIDENT

President signs bill or allowsBill to become law without

Signing **President vetoes bill

Congress can override a vetoBy 2/3 majority in both chambers

If either fails to overrideThe bill dies.

PASS VETO

LAW

or