How a Bill Becomes Law: The Steps in Congress
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Any member of the House or Senate can introduce a bill, but only a small share become law. Here are the steps, in the usual order.
1. Introduction
A member introduces the bill in their chamber. Bills that raise revenue must start in the House, under the Constitution. The bill gets a number (H.R. for the House, S. for the Senate) and is sent to a committee.
2. Committee
Committees do most of the detailed work: they can hold hearings, rewrite the bill in a "markup" session and vote on whether to send it to the full chamber. Most bills never leave committee.
3. Floor vote
- House: the Rules Committee usually sets the terms of debate and which amendments are allowed. A bill passes with a simple majority of members voting.
- Senate: debate is open-ended, so most bills need 60 votes to end debate (see the filibuster) before a final simple-majority vote.
4. The other chamber
Both chambers must pass exactly the same text. If they pass different versions, they settle the differences by sending amendments back and forth or through a conference committee, and both chambers vote again.
5. The president
The president has 10 days (Sundays excepted) to act. Signing makes the bill law. A veto sends it back to Congress, which can override with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. If the president does nothing for 10 days while Congress is in session, the bill becomes law without a signature; if Congress has adjourned, it dies (a "pocket veto").
Sources: U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 7; Congress.gov, "The Legislative Process".
Questions and answers
How long does the president have to sign a bill?
Ten days, not counting Sundays. If Congress is in session and the president does nothing, the bill becomes law without a signature.
How can Congress override a veto?
With a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.
Where must tax bills start?
In the House. The Constitution requires bills for raising revenue to originate there.