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Introducing the Bill and Referral to a Committee
Any member of Congress can introduce legislation
First - When a bill is introduced, it given a number that signifies a House bill and Senate bill. -
Overriding a Veto
If the President vetoes a bill, Congress may decide to attempt to "override the veto." This requires a two-thirds roll call vote of the members who are present in sufficient numbers for a quorum. -
Action by the President
After the conference report has been approved by both the House and Senate, the final bill is sent to the President. If the President approves of the legislation, he signs it and it becomes law. If the President does not take action for ten days while Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes law. If the President opposes the bill he can veto it; -
Conference on a bill
If only minor changes are made to a bill by the other chamber, but If either chamber rejects the conference report, the bill dies. -
Referral to the Other Chamber
When the House or the Senate passes a bill it is referred to the other chamber where it usually follows the same route through committee and floor action. This chamber may approve the bill as received, reject it, ignore it, or amend it before passing it. -
Committee Report
The Speaker of the House will determine if and when a bill comes before the full body for debate and amendment. A Senator can offer an amendment without warning so long as the amendment is relevant to the bill. A majority vote is needed for an amendment and for final passage. -
Committee Action: Hearings and Mark Up
Chairman of the Committee is in charge and will determine whether there will be a hearing on the bill ; After amendments are adopted or rejected, the chairman moves to vote the bill favorably out of Committee. The bill will go to the entire body if the Committee favorably reports out the bill.