How American Laws Are Made

Laws may be initiated in either chamber of Congress, the House of Representatives or the Senate.

1. When a Representative has an idea for a new law , he becomes the sponsor of it and it is known as a bill. He will introduce it to his chamber by giving it to the clerk of the House or by placing it in a box, called the hopper. The clerk assigns a legislative number to the bill, with H.R. for bills introduced in the House and S. for bills introduced in the Senate. The Government Printing Office (GPO) then prints the bill and distributes copies to each representative.


2. The bill will be assigned to a committee for study. The committee then may release or revise the bill with a recommendation to pass it. They can also table it.


3. Once a bill is released, it goes on a calendar (a list of bills awaiting action). A Rules Committee may call for the bill to be voted on quickly, limit the debate, or limit or prohibit amendments. Undisputed bills may be passed by unanimous consent, or by a two-thirds vote if members agree to suspend the rules.


4. The bill will go to the floor of the for consideration and begins with a complete reading of the bill. If the bill passes by simple majority it will move to the other chamber.


5. In order to be introduced in the other chamber, a member must be recognized as the presiding officer and announce the introduction of the bill. An actusually means a bill that has been passed by both houses and becomes law.




7. Once released, the bill goes to the chamber floor for consideration. A simple majority passes the bill.

Once approved, a bill is printed by the Government Printing Office (GPO) in a process called enrolling. The clerk from the introducing house certifies the final version.

The enrolled bill is now signed by the Speaker of the House and then the vice president.

8. It is sent for presidential consideration. The president has ten days to sign or veto the enrolled bill. If the president vetoes the bill, it can still become a law if two-thirds of the Senate and two-thirds of the House then vote in favor of the bill.