How to Understand How a Bill Becomes a Law
Learn a little background information first., Understand that the bill is first introduced., Learn that the person introducing the bill may hire a representative to speak in the House of Representatives., Learn that after the hearing of the bill is...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Learn a little background information first.
In the legislative branch, there are two groups.
One is The House of Representatives, and one is the Senate.
Both are part of the legislative branch, with each group containing a certain number of people (The number is different for each state.) These two groups in the legislative branch will be referred as the two chambers of congress throughout this article. -
Step 2: Understand that the bill is first introduced.
In the legislative branch, anyone in the House of representatives or the Senate can propose a bill. , After the House has listened to the bill, it is sent to the appropriate committee. (Ex. the Traffic Committee, Agricultural Committee, Electronics Committee.) , Afterwards, the committee votes on the bill.
If the vote has at least 51% support for the bill, it advances to the House of Representatives and Senates.
However, if the minority of the people go for the bill, it is killed. , At this point, amendments of the bill can be made. (For example, if the bill proposes that water supply be limited for each home, a person could say that drinking water would be an exception to the bill). , If the majority of the people vote for the bill for each group, it progresses on.
However, if less than half of the people vote for the bill, it is killed. , To solve this problem, a committee of five people from each chamber is chosen to work out an in-between version of the bill. , For the bill to move on, more than half of the people from the committee from each chamber must vote for the bill for it to progress. (In this case, at least 3 people from each chamber must vote for the bill for it to move on. , At least the majority of the people from each chamber must vote for bill for it to progress. , At that point, he or she has 10 days to veto or approve of the bill, after which the bill will come into effect without the signature of the Governor.
If the Governor approves of the bill, it is taken into action.
However, if the Governor wants to go against the bill, he or she can veto the bill and send it back to the two chambers of Congress. , If at least two thirds of the people from both chambers votes for the bill, the veto is overruled, and it is taken into action.
Otherwise, the bill is killed. -
Step 3: Learn that the person introducing the bill may hire a representative to speak in the House of Representatives.
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Step 4: Learn that after the hearing of the bill is scheduled
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Step 5: the committee hears the bill.
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Step 6: Understand that when the bill makes it to the two chambers of congress
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Step 7: it is sent to the House of Representatives.
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Step 8: Know that once the bill is sent to the two chambers of congress for voting
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Step 9: the bill can no longer be changed.
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Step 10: Understand that when the bill is successful in each of the two Chambers of Congress
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Step 11: the House and Senates version of the bill may be different.
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Step 12: Know that after the compromise version of the bill is created
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Step 13: the committee votes on the bill.
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Step 14: Know that the compromise version of the bill is then sent to the two chambers of congress again for voting.
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Step 15: Afterwards
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Step 16: the bill is sent to the Governor.
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Step 17: Realise that even if the Governor sends the bill back to the two chambers of Congress
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Step 18: the two chambers can vote on the bill again.
Detailed Guide
In the legislative branch, there are two groups.
One is The House of Representatives, and one is the Senate.
Both are part of the legislative branch, with each group containing a certain number of people (The number is different for each state.) These two groups in the legislative branch will be referred as the two chambers of congress throughout this article.
In the legislative branch, anyone in the House of representatives or the Senate can propose a bill. , After the House has listened to the bill, it is sent to the appropriate committee. (Ex. the Traffic Committee, Agricultural Committee, Electronics Committee.) , Afterwards, the committee votes on the bill.
If the vote has at least 51% support for the bill, it advances to the House of Representatives and Senates.
However, if the minority of the people go for the bill, it is killed. , At this point, amendments of the bill can be made. (For example, if the bill proposes that water supply be limited for each home, a person could say that drinking water would be an exception to the bill). , If the majority of the people vote for the bill for each group, it progresses on.
However, if less than half of the people vote for the bill, it is killed. , To solve this problem, a committee of five people from each chamber is chosen to work out an in-between version of the bill. , For the bill to move on, more than half of the people from the committee from each chamber must vote for the bill for it to progress. (In this case, at least 3 people from each chamber must vote for the bill for it to move on. , At least the majority of the people from each chamber must vote for bill for it to progress. , At that point, he or she has 10 days to veto or approve of the bill, after which the bill will come into effect without the signature of the Governor.
If the Governor approves of the bill, it is taken into action.
However, if the Governor wants to go against the bill, he or she can veto the bill and send it back to the two chambers of Congress. , If at least two thirds of the people from both chambers votes for the bill, the veto is overruled, and it is taken into action.
Otherwise, the bill is killed.
About the Author
Shirley Cooper
A passionate writer with expertise in home improvement topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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