HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAWBy Mr. SafierTeam 6

Step One - Origin

All bills start as ideas They can be created by anyone…a

representative, the president, special interest groups (lobbyists), and even YOU!!!

Once written, the bill enters one or both houses of Congress (Senate or House of Representatives)

Step Two - Committees

10,000 bills are introduced every year Approximately 150 become a law each

year After a bill gets into one of the houses

(Senate/House of Representatives) it is given to a Standing (permanent) Committee

Step Three - Hearings

Standing Committees pass the bill to Sub-Committees (lower committees)

Sub–Committee’s listen to experts and interested parties, which speak for or against the bill

After hearing all the points of view the Sub–Committees can recommend the bill to a Full Committee

Step Four – Committee ActionFull Committees can:

1. Approve

2. Re-write and Approve

3. Amend (change) and Approve

4. Reject the bill

Step Five – Congressional Action The bill is then debated in the house of

origin and perhaps amended If passed, the bill moves to the other

house of Congress and repeats steps 1-4

Example: If the bill starts in the House then it moves to the Senate

Step Six – Executive Action

When Congress approves the bill The President may:

1. Sign the bill, making it a law2. Veto the bill3. Pocket Veto - Hold the bill without signing

bill becomes a law within 10 days if congress is in session and expires if congress leaves before the 10 days

Step Seven – Judicial Action…If Needed

If the law does not obey the rules of the U.S. Constitution, the Supreme Court has the power to declare the law unconstitutional

If the Supreme Court Okays the bill it becomes a LAW