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A Bill is Introduced
Ideas for a bill can come from pretty much anywhere. Once an idea is formed, bills are drafted by lawmakers, staff, or or lawyers. In the House, a bill is proposed by dropping the bill in a hopper. In the Senate, a bill is proposed by a senator's recognition by a presiding officer to formally introduce the bill. -
The Bill is Sent to a Committee
After a bill has been drafted, it is sent to the committee that deals with its topic. Once in the hands of a committee, the chairs can either let it die, rewrite it completely, or mend it. -
Committee Hearings
After a committee decides to act on a bill, they hold a hearing. Experts provide information for the committee during this meeting so that they have a better knowledge of what all the bill entails. These hearings are used to influence the public opinion of the bill in the committee's favor. -
Markup Session
Once hearings have finished, the commitee reevaluates the bill and makes any amendments that are needed. -
Reporting a Bill
After the committee has agreed on all changes, the committee then decides if they want to report the bill or if they want to take no further action with it. If they decided to report it, it is sent to either the House or Senate for further action. Committees can present bias on their reports to make a bill seem favorable or unfavorable. -
The Bill is Considered on the Floor
The report of the bill is sent to the floor for action in the House or the Senate. The bill is then debated, and once the debate ends, the voting on the bill begins. During the debate, the bill can be amended more. In order for the bill to pass, it needs a majority vote from all lawmakers present. -
Final Action on the Bill
If a different version of the bill passes through the House and Senate. a conference committee is started to come to a compromise. The bill is then sent to the president for signing. If the president doesn't agree on the bill, they can veto the bill and send it back to Congress with an explanation of the veto. The Congress can override a presidential veto with a two thirds majority vote, and then the bill becomes a law.