How a Bill Becomes Law

Executive Summary

This document outlines the steps involved in turning a bill into a law in the United States. It describes the legislative process, detailing the structure of Congress, the roles of Congress and its committeess and the President, and the potential outcomes once a bill is presented.

Key Provisions

• Congressional Structure

• The U.S. Congress is a bicameral system, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• The House has 435 members elected for two-year terms from population-based districts, ensuring representation based on population size.
• The Senate has 100 members, with each state electing two Senators for six-year terms, staggered so that only one-third of the Senate faces election in a given cycle, promoting continuity in legislative leadership.

• Introduction of a Bill

• A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing one. Bills can be introduced by a current member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives.
• Each bill is assigned a designation, such as H.R. or S., to identify its chamber of origin and its place in the legislative sequence.

• Committee Review

• After introduction, the bill is assigned to a committee for research, discussion, and potential changes.
• Committees review bills and may hold hearings where experts, officials, and stakeholders provide feedback.
• Committees may also conduct a markup session, where members propose and vote on changes to the bill, shaping its final form before advancing it to the full chamber.
• Standing committees specialize in developing and evaluating legislation.
• These committees play a role in shaping bills through research, debate, and amendment before they reach the full chamber.
• Committees are chaired by majority party members, while the ranking member is the most senior minority party member, ensuring both parties contribute to legislative review.
• If approved by a majority vote of committee members, the bill is reported to the full chamber for further consideration.

• Subcommittees

• Most committees form subcommittees to focus on specific policy areas.
• Subcommittees often specialize in detailed areas like healthcare, education, or national security, allowing for more focused discussions and analysis.
• While subcommittees can hold hearings and amend bills, only full committees have the authority to formally report a bill to the chamber.

• Voting Process

• The bill is voted on by the chamber where it was introduced. If approved, the bill moves to the other congressional chamber, where it undergoes a similar process.
• Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill before it advances to the President.

• Presidential Action

• The President can approve the bill by signing it into law. Alternatively, the President can veto the bill.
• If vetoed, Congress may override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.
• If the President does not sign the bill and Congress adjourns before the signing deadline, the bill is automatically vetoed through a "pocket veto," which Congress cannot override.

Sources: https://www.usa.gov/how-laws-are-made; https://www.congress.gov/legislative-process