Legislative Branch

How a Bill Becomes a Law

VocabularyTerm Definition

Congressional Record Notes taken during Congressional meetings

Bill Proposed piece of legislation

Filibuster Attempt to block or delay Senate action on a bill or other matter by debating at length

Cloture The only procedure by which the Senate can vote to place a time limit on consideration of a bill or other matter, and overcome a filibuster

Ratify To pass

Quorum Simple majority or one over half

VocabularyTerm Definition

Veto When the President refuses to sign a bill and sends it back to Congress

Veto Override Congress’ attempt to override a presidential veto. The bill repeats the process but requires a 2/3 vote to pass both houses instead of a quorum.

Pocket veto When the President does nothing with a bill for 10 days AND Congress adjourns

1. Someone comes up with an idea

• Anyone can come up with an idea, but only a member of Congress can present it

• A bill can start in either chamber of Congress UNLESS it deals with money, such as a tax or revenue bill. Then it MUST begin in the House.

2. Bill goes to Committee in House

• Bill goes to a House Standing Committee (sometimes even to a subcommittee)

• They write, debate and vote on bill• IF they reach a quorum, the bill moves on to

the next step• IF they do not get a quorum, the bill dies for

one year before it can be brought back

3. Bill goes to entire House

• Bill is presented to the entire House of Representatives. They debate and vote on the bill

• IF they reach a quorum, the bill moves on to the next step

• IF they do not get a quorum, the bill dies

4. Bill goes to Committee in Senate

• Bill goes to a Senate Standing Committee (sometimes even to a subcommittee)

• They write, debate and vote on bill• IF they reach a quorum, the bill moves on to

the next step• IF they do not get a quorum, the bill dies

5. Bill goes to entire Senate

• Bill is presented to the entire Senate. They debate and vote on bill

• IF they reach a quorum, the bill moves on to the next step

• IF they do not get quorum, the bill dies

6. Bill goes to the President

• Bill is presented to the President. He / She has 10 days to decide to sign or send back to Congress

• IF President signs it, the bill becomes LAW• IF President sends it back to Congress refusing to

sign it, it is called a VETO• IF President does nothing for 10 days and

Congress stays in session, the bill becomes LAW• IF President does nothing for 10 days and

Congress adjourns, the bill is POCKET VETOED

7? Overriding Veto

• Congress can attempt to override the President’s veto

• The bill begins the entire process from the beginning, but instead of a quorum to pass each house, the bill needs to get 2/3 vote

• If both houses successfully pass the bill by a 2/3 vote, the bill becomes LAW

I’m Just a Bill