WE'RE HALF WAY THERE
How A Bill Becomes A Law
STEP 1
Someone comes up with an idea they think should be a law. This idea turns into a bill
STEP 2
The bill is introduced to Congress (the House of Reps. and the Senate
**All tax bills start in the House of Reps. because they are closer to the people**
**All tax bills start in the House of Reps. because they are closer to the people**
STEP 4
The bill is sent to a standing committee. The committee can either...
1. pass the bill
2. mark the bill with changes and suggest it be passed
3. replace the bill with a new one
4. pigeonholing- ignoring the bill and let it die
5. kill the bill with a majority vote
1. pass the bill
2. mark the bill with changes and suggest it be passed
3. replace the bill with a new one
4. pigeonholing- ignoring the bill and let it die
5. kill the bill with a majority vote
STEP 5
Congressional members (from where the bill was introduced) debate on the bill
-senate may attach riders
-rules committee determines the terms for debate
-no one person can talk for more than a hour
*filibuster-can end if 3/5 of members vote a cloture
-senate may attach riders
-rules committee determines the terms for debate
-no one person can talk for more than a hour
*filibuster-can end if 3/5 of members vote a cloture
STEP 6
The House and Senate must pass the same bill
*If not, they compromise in joint committee
There are three votes
1. voice vote: yes or no vote
2. standing vote
3. roll-call vote: recorded vote
*If not, they compromise in joint committee
There are three votes
1. voice vote: yes or no vote
2. standing vote
3. roll-call vote: recorded vote
STEP 7
The bill has made its way to the President. The President can either Veto the bill or pass it.
*a veto can be overrode with 2/3 vote from both houses of Congress
*pocket veto: when the president allows a bill to die by doing nothing for 10 days
The President signs the bill into law
*a veto can be overrode with 2/3 vote from both houses of Congress
*pocket veto: when the president allows a bill to die by doing nothing for 10 days
The President signs the bill into law