How A Bill Becomes A Law

The 10 - Step Journey

1 - Introduction of the Bill
The Idea for a new bill can come from Citizens, Special Interest Groups, Corporations,
and Organizations.

A Member of Congress introduces the bill in either the House or Senate.

2 - The Bill is Assigned to a Committee
Each Chamber has its own Committees to consider their bills - House requires any bill
goes to Rules Committee.

They either mark-up the bill to make it better to pass OR it is pigeonholed and killed
in the Committee.
3 - The Bill is Sent to the Floor
If the Bill is passed by the Committee, it is sent to the floor for debate.

The Speaker determines which bills are discussed and for how long.
4-The Bill Is Debated & Voted On in the
House (or Senate)
A Vote Board on the Wall Shows the Tally - Red/Oppose, Green/Agree, and
Yellow/Abstain.

A Majority Must Approve the Bill for the Journey to Continue.

5 - The Bill “Crosses Over” to the Other
Chamber
The bill is sent to the US Senate if it originated in the House or vice versa. (A Senate
version of the bill is written with the letter S. and a number. House bills have HR.)

Committees hold hearings and make changes to the bill.

6 - The Bill is Debated & Voted On in the
Non-Originating Chamber
The Senate Majority Leader determines which bills are scheduled, when and for how
long.

Debate in the Senate is unlimited. Filibusters can be used by the minority in the
Senate in an effort to “block” a vote on the bill.
7 - The Non-Originating Chamber Must
Pass the Bill
A simple majority in both houses is needed to pass the bill (51%). In the House: 218 /
435 In the Senate: 51 / 100.

Each chamber must pass the exact bill. Any disagreements on a part(s) of a bill would
go to Step 8.
8 - Difference in the House and Senate
The bill is taken up 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.

A vote on the “conference report” must be taken and passed by a majority of both
Houses.
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. He must include his reasons and
recommendations for correction.
10 - Overriding a Veto
If the president vetoes the bill, both Houses can reconsider it.

Two-thirds (67%) of both Houses are needed to override the President’s veto. In the
House: 369 are needed for override. In the Senate: 67.