Steps To Bill Becoming A Law

1. Introductiona. House of Representativeb. Senate

2. Parts of a Bill

a. Assign a number (HR 344 or S 231)b. Labeled with a sponsor's name c. Titles: short official title d. Status: progress or current activitye. Committee: group which also reviews

the bill.

3. Committee Action

a. Bill can be assigned to subcommittee by chairperson.

b. Hearings may be held.c. Subcommittee reports findings to full

committee.d. Vote by full committeee. Revisions and Additionsf. Send to Floorg. Written report explaining why they favor

the bill

4. Rules Committee (House of Representatives only)

a. Adopts rules that govern the procedures under which the bill will be considered by the House.

Rules of Debate and Process are different between the HR and Senate

5. Floor Action

a. Setting the Calendar. House: the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader decide what will reach the floor and when.

Debate: Limited by the Rules Committee Guided by Sponsoring Committee Bill is Reported back to HR and voted on

Floor Action Senate: scheduling is up to the Majority

Leader. Cooperation with the Minority Leader.

Bills are chosen by a majority of the Senate can also go to the floor.

Debate: a. Debate is unlimited. b. Cloture: Motion to limit debate 60

votes needed for cloture. Ends filibuster.c. Filibuster: attempt to defeat a bill by talking

indefinitely.

Continued steps of floor action

a. Bill voted on.b. Must pass either chamber (HR and S)

or it dies.c. If HR and S pass same bill, it goes to

the President.d. If HR and S pass different bills, it is

sent to conference committee.

Conference Committee

a. Formed by members from both chambers

b. Prepares written Conference Report when compromise is reached and submitted to each chamber.

c. Conference Report must be approved by House and Senate.

Presidential Action

a. Signs: or becomes law in 10 days while Congress is in session if unsigned.

b. Veto: or becomes law if 2/3 of each chamber overrides.

1. Sign 2. Veto3. Pocket Veto4. Allow it to become Law w/o signature.

Terms Pigeon Hole Pork Barrel Rider Earmarks Bundling Vote Trading Speaker of The House Floor Leaders Whips