Legislative Legislative Process:Process:

How a Bill How a Bill Becomes a Becomes a LawLaw

IntroductionIntroduction Ideas for bills come from citizens, Ideas for bills come from citizens,

President, members of Congress, President, members of Congress, or special-interest groupsor special-interest groups

Bills may only be Bills may only be introduced/sponsored by a member of introduced/sponsored by a member of Congress.Congress. Appropriations bills must start in the Appropriations bills must start in the

House.House.

Bills are drafted and given a number.Bills are drafted and given a number.

Committee ActionCommittee Action

Bill is sent to the appropriate Bill is sent to the appropriate standing committee.standing committee. May also be sent to subcommitteeMay also be sent to subcommittee

Committees research, revise, and Committees research, revise, and debate billsdebate bills

Choices:Choices: Reject it immediatelyReject it immediately Pigeonhole itPigeonhole it Approve it Approve it

Floor DebateFloor Debate Bill debated in the house that introduced it.Bill debated in the house that introduced it. Very strict rules for debate in the House of Very strict rules for debate in the House of

Representatives.Representatives. Fewer rules for debate Fewer rules for debate in the Senate.in the Senate.

FilibusterFilibuster ClotureCloture

If approved, the bill goes to the other house If approved, the bill goes to the other house for approval.for approval.

Conference CommitteeConference Committee Joint committee made up of Joint committee made up of

members from both houses.members from both houses. Job: Create a compromised Job: Create a compromised

version of revised bills.version of revised bills. Both houses must agree on Both houses must agree on

changes.changes.

Presidential Presidential ActionAction Approval:Approval:

Sign bill into lawSign bill into law Bill becomes law without signatureBill becomes law without signature

Keeps bill for 10 days, Congress IN sessionKeeps bill for 10 days, Congress IN session

Rejection:Rejection: VetoVeto Pocket vetoPocket veto

Keeps bill for 10 days, Congress NOT in Keeps bill for 10 days, Congress NOT in sessionsession