United States Constitution ExamPreparationHow a Bill Becomes a Law…

Lawmaking Process

• Outlined in Article One, Section 7 of the US Constitution

• Bills dealing with Money must begin in the House of Representatives

• Each House of Congress has rules on the lawmaking procedure in their respective chambers.

Lawmaking Process

• Congressional Flow Chart I

House Committee Senate Committee

Whole House Whole Senate

Lawmaking Process

• Committees – Handle specific items:• Agriculture• Budget• Ethics• Finance• Judiciary• Natural Resources• Rules• Appropriations• Ways & Means• Transportation

• Homeland Security• Science, Space &

Technology• Small Business• Foreign Affairs• Indian Affairs• Intelligence• Veterans’ Affairs

…are some examples

Lawmaking Process

• Congressional Flow Chart II

Conference Committee

Whole House Whole Senate

Lawmaking Process

• Presidential Involvement

Congress

President

Sign ItBecomes

Law!

Veto ItSent Back to

Congress

Pocket

Veto10 days

(Excluding Sundays)

2/3Override

Lawmaking Process

• Override Veto– 2/3 Vote by Congress– Automatically Becomes Law

• Pocket Veto– If, after 10 days (excluding Sundays)

the President takes no action on a bill…

• If Congress is IN Session – Automatically Law

• If Congress is NOT IN Session – Bill Dies

End of Slide Presentation