How a Bill Becomes a Law
Taylor West and Tanylia Caudle
Idea
The ideas for new bills come from Private citizens, the White House, or from special interest groups.
Introduction by
- A senator or representative must introduce a bill before congress will consider it
- Every bill is given a title and a number when it is submitted
Committee Action
- After a bill is introduced it is sent to the standing committee that is related to the subject of the bill.
- Standing committees have life-and-death power over bills.
The Committee Can....
- Pass the bill
- Mark up the bill with changes and suggest that it be passed
- Replace the original bill with new bill
- Ignore bill and let it die
- Kill the bill outright by majority vote
Rule of Debate
- In the House, the Rules Committee sets up terms for debate
- In the senate, senators can speak as long as they wish
- Filibuster-a tatic for defeating a bill in the Senate by talking until the bills sponsor withdraws it
Action by President
- President sign the bill and declare it new law
- President can veto or refuse to sign the bill
- President may do nothing for 10 days
- If congress is in session, the bill becomes a law without the Presidents signature