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How A Bill Becomes A Law
How A Bill Becomes A Law
The Subcommittee
The subcommittee studies bills related to a sub-set of the topics covered by the standing committee. All of the members of the subcommittee are part of the standing committee. Most of the discussion in Congress takes place here. The chair of the subcommittee, in consultation with other committee members, decides whether to schedule a bill for discussion. The subcommittee may also decide to stop action on a bill that they think is not necessary or wise. The bill then dies.
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The President
The President has 4 options: 1. Sign into law. He can sign the bill, which then becomes a law. 2. Law without signature. He can let the bill sit on his desk for 10 days without signing it while Congress is in session. The bill then becomes a law.
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Im just a bill, Yes, Im only a bill, And Im sitting here on Capitol Hill. Well, its a long, long journey To the capital city, Its a long, long wait While Im sitting in committee But I know Ill be a law someday . . .
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At least I hope and pray that I will, But today Im still just a bill. {Interlude} Im just a bill, Yes Im only a bill, And I got as far as Capitol Hill. Well, now Im stuck in committee And I sit here and wait
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While a few key Congressmen Discuss and debate Whether they should Let me be a law Oh how I hope and pray that they will, But today I am still just a bill. {Interlude}
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Im just a bill, Yes Im only a bill, And if they vote for me on Capitol Hill, Well then Im off to the White House Where Ill wait in a line With a lot of other bills For the President to sign.
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And if he signs me then Ill be a law . . . Oh, how I hope and pray that he will, But today I am still just a bill. {Interlude} No! But how I hope and I pray that I will, But today I am still just a bill! {Interlude}
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