How a Bill Becomes Law
The complete journey from introduction to presidential signature, including committee markups, floor votes, and reconciliation.
- ✓Bills can be introduced by any member of Congress in their own chamber
- ✓Most bills die in committee without ever receiving a vote
- ✓The House and Senate must pass identical versions of a bill
- ✓The President can sign, veto, or allow a bill to become law without signature
- ✓Congress can override a presidential veto with a 2/3 supermajority
Introduction
Every law in the United States begins as a bill—a proposal for new legislation or an amendment to existing laws. The process by which a bill becomes law is deliberately complex, designed by the Founders to ensure thorough deliberation and prevent hasty legislation.
Step 1: Introduction in Congress
Any member of Congress can introduce a bill, but only in their own chamber. A Representative introduces bills in the House, while a Senator introduces them in the Senate.
- Bills can originate in either chamber, with one exception: revenue bills must originate in the House
- Once introduced, a bill receives a number (H.R. for House, S. for Senate)
- The bill is then referred to the appropriate committee
Step 2: Committee Review
Committees are where most of the detailed work on legislation takes place. The committee with jurisdiction over the bill's subject matter reviews it.
- Hearings: Experts and stakeholders testify about the bill's potential impact
- Markup: Committee members debate and amend the bill
- Vote: The committee votes on whether to report the bill to the full chamber
Important: Most bills "die in committee"—they never receive a vote and do not advance further.
Step 3: Floor Debate and Vote
If a bill is reported out of committee, it goes to the full chamber for debate and a vote.
In the House: The Rules Committee sets the terms for debate, debate time is limited, and a simple majority (218 votes) is needed to pass.
In the Senate: Debate is typically unlimited (leading to filibusters), 60 votes are needed to end debate (cloture), and a simple majority (51 votes) passes the bill.
Step 4: Conference Committee
If the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill, a Conference Committee reconciles the differences. Members from both chambers negotiate and produce a single, unified bill that both chambers must pass.
Step 5: Presidential Action
Once both chambers pass the same bill, it goes to the President, who has four options:
- Sign: Bill becomes law
- Veto: Bill returns to Congress; can be overridden by 2/3 vote in both chambers
- Pocket Veto: If Congress adjourns within 10 days, unsigned bill dies
- Do Nothing: After 10 days (excluding Sundays), bill becomes law without signature
Key Terms
- Cloture: Senate procedure to end debate (requires 60 votes)
- Filibuster: Extended debate used to delay or block legislation
- Markup: When a committee revises a bill
- Reconciliation: Special budget process requiring only simple majority
- Override: Congress can override a veto with 2/3 vote in both chambers