How a Bill Becomes a Law in the U.S.? Explained

Do you know how does a bill become a law? The journey of an idea transforming into a US bill and eventually a binding law is a fundamental aspect of American democracy. It's a complex, multi-stage process designed to ensure that proposed legislation is thoroughly debated, refined, and agreed upon by multiple branches of government. From the initial drafting to the final presidential signature, each step is crucial in shaping the policies that impact daily life. Understanding how a bill becomes a law provides insight into the checks and balances inherent in the U.S. legislative system. Read this article to understand what is a bill law and how a bill becomes a law. 

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What is a Bill Law?

A bill law is a proposed piece of legislation introduced in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate. It's a draft document outlining new laws, amendments to existing ones, or appropriations of funds. It only becomes a "law" after passing through the entire legislative process.

How a Bill becomes a Law in the U.S.?

The process of how a bill becomes a law in the U.S. is systematic. According to USA.gov, it involves several key stages within both chambers of Congress and ultimately, the President. Each step allows for review, debate, and amendment, ensuring a thorough legislative journey.

Step 1: Ideation and Drafting of the Bill

A member of Congress, either from the Senate or the House of Representatives, can have an idea for a new law. They then write this idea down as a bill. These ideas can come from the Congress members themselves. They can also come from regular people or groups who want to see changes. The main Congress member who writes and supports the bill is called the "sponsor." Other members who agree with the bill and support it are called "co-sponsors."

Step 2: The Bill Gets Introduced 

Once the bill is written, it must be officially presented. If a Representative writes the bill, it is introduced in the House of Representatives. If a Senator writes it, the bill is introduced in the Senate. After a bill is introduced, you can find information about it on Congress.gov. This is the government's official website that keeps track of all federal laws.

Step 3: The Bill Goes for Committee Review

As soon as a bill is introduced, it is sent to a committee. Both the House and the Senate have many different committees. These committees are made up of Congress members who are very interested in certain topics, like health or international issues. When a bill is with a committee, they look at it very closely. They decide if it has a good chance of passing the entire Congress. The committee might even hold meetings called "hearings." These hearings help them understand the bill better. During hearings, experts, government officials, and people who support or oppose the bill can share their views. If the committee doesn't do anything with a bill, that bill is considered "dead" and goes no further.

Step 4: Subcommittee reviews the Bill

Committees often have smaller groups called subcommittees. These subcommittees focus on even more specific topics. Committees sometimes send bills to a subcommittee for a deeper look and their own hearings. The subcommittee can suggest changes to the bill. They must then vote to send the bill back to the main committee.

Step 5: Final Changes are Made by the Committee

After the hearings and the subcommittee's review are finished, the main committee meets again. They "mark up" the bill, meaning they make final changes and additions to it. This happens before they recommend the bill to the entire group of Congress members, known as the "floor." If a committee decides not to send the bill to the full House or Senate, the bill dies. But if the committee votes to approve the bill, it is then sent to the floor. This action is called "ordering a bill reported."

Step 6: The Entire Group Votes (Voting by the Full Chamber)

Once the bill is ready for the full House or Senate, there is more discussion. Members of that chamber can vote on any proposed changes. After all discussions and votes on changes are done, the members take a final vote. The bill is either passed (approved) or defeated (rejected) by this vote.

Step 7: The Bill Moves to the Other Side of Congress (Referral to the Other Chamber)

If the House passes a bill, it is then sent to the Senate. If the Senate passes it first, it goes to the House. In the new chamber, the bill usually goes through the same steps: through committees and then to a vote on the floor. The new chamber can approve the bill as it is, reject it completely, ignore it, or make changes to it. If the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill, they might form a special "conference committee." This committee's job is to work out the differences and create one final bill. If this committee cannot agree, the bill dies. If they do agree, they write a "conference report" with their recommendations. Both the House and Senate must then vote to approve this final conference report.

Step 8: The Bill Goes to the President (Presidential Action)

After both the House and Senate have approved the exact same version of a bill, it is sent to the President. If the President likes the bill, they sign it, and it becomes a law. If the President doesn't do anything for ten days while Congress is meeting, the bill automatically becomes a law. If the President does not approve of the bill, they can "veto" it, meaning they send it back to Congress. Also, if the President takes no action for 10 days and Congress has already ended its session, this is called a "pocket veto," and the bill does not become law.

Step 9: Overcoming the President's No (Overriding a Veto)

If the President vetoes a bill, Congress can try to overrule that veto. If both the Senate and the House vote to pass the bill again with a two-thirds majority in each chamber, then the President's veto is overridden. In this case, the bill becomes a law, even without the President's signature.

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Conclusion 

The process of how a bill becomes a law in the U.S. is a testament to the nation's deliberative democratic system. Each stage, from the initial idea of a US bill to its final enactment, is designed to ensure careful consideration and broad consensus. This intricate journey highlights the balance of power within the US Senate bill and House, and the executive branch. Understanding this fundamental process is essential for every citizen wishing to comprehend the workings of American governance.