How A Bill Becomes A Law
After the idea for a bill is developed and the bill is written, a Member of Congress must introduce the bill in Congress by becoming the bill’s sponsor.
In the House, bills are officially introduced by placing them in a special box called the hopper. In the Senate, the bill is introduced on the Senate Floor.
Once a bill is introduced, it is given a number. The number is assigned H.R. or S., depending on where it was introduced and bills continue in numerical order. The Library of Congress receives an electronic copy of the bill which is posted on Thomas, a public website.
The bill is referred to the appropriate committee and/or subcommittees. Here there are debates and changes made to the bill. Once the bill is approved by the subcommittee is sent back to the full committee for approval or rejection.
The bill is then reported and is sent to the House Floor for consideration. After the bill has been read three times, the House is ready to vote on the bill. Members in attendance will vote to pass or not to pass the bill. If the majority of the House votes to pass the bill, the bill is then referred to the Senate to go through a similar process of approval.
Once the House and the Senate approve the bill it is sent to the President. If the President signs the bill, or takes no action while Congress is in session, then the bill becomes a law. If Congress overrides a presidential veto, the bill becomes a law.
Resources:
http://www.votesmart.org/resource_govt101_02.php
http://www.house.gov/lucas/how-bill-becomes-law.shtml
