How a Bill Becomes a Law

• 1. Drafting & Introduction

  A member of Congress (Representative or Senator) sponsors and formally introduces a bill. Revenue bills must start in the House.

• 2. Committee Review

  The bill goes to a relevant committee and may be sent to a subcommittee. Committees hold hearings, collect testimony, amend the bill, and decide whether to report it to the floor.

• 3. Floor Debate & Vote (First Chamber)

  If the committee reports the bill, the full chamber debates it, may propose more amendments, then votes. A majority vote sends the bill to the other chamber.

• 4. Committee Review & Vote (Second Chamber)

  The second chamber (House or Senate) repeats the process: committee review, possible amendments, and a floor vote.

• 5. Reconciliation

  If the House and Senate pass different versions, a conference committee (members from both chambers) negotiates a single final text. Both chambers then vote on that final version.

• 6. President’s Decision

  The bill goes to the President, who can:

  1. Sign it — it becomes law.

  2. Veto it — Congress can override with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

  3. Take no action — after 10 days it becomes law if Congress is in session; if Congress adjourns, the bill dies (a "pocket veto").

• 7. Implementation

  Once signed (or otherwise enacted), the executive branch implements and enforces the law; often agencies create regulations to carry it out.

Quick Facts

• 1. Most bills never make it out of committee.

• 2. A simple majority is usually enough in each chamber (except for overriding a veto or changing Senate rules).

• 3. Some laws begin as identical bills introduced in both chambers (called companion bills).

Summary

• A bill becomes a law after introduction, committee review, approval by both the House and Senate in the same form, and the President’s signature (or a successful veto override).