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The Journey from Bill to Law
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Idea
A citizen has an idea to make the dolphin the national symbol. -
Introduced
A bill to make the dolphin a national symbol is introduced by a member of Congress. Any Member of Congress can introduce a piece of legislation, which is then given a number (H.R. # for House bills, and S. # for Senate bills). -
Reffered to a Committee
The clerk assigns a number to the bill and it is reffered to the appropriate Committee(s) with expertise in its issue for further consideration. The Committee may then assign the bill to one of its Subcommittees. If a Committee does nothing further with the bill, it will "die" (i.e. not become law) in Committee. -
Hearings
The Committe holds hearings and discusses the bill. -
"Mark up"
Committee decides whether or not to accept or reject a piece of legislation. Once all amendments and debate are complete, a vote is taken on final passage for the legislation. -
Debate
The bill is considered on the "floor". At the end of all debate and amendments, the full House or Senate votes on final passage of the bill. -
Vote
The full House or full Senate vote on the Bill. Both houses pass identical version of the Bill. -
President
The Bill is sent to the President for review. He can sign the bill into law or veto it. -
Veto
The President didn't like to law or parts of it, so it was vetoed. Congress can attempt to override the President's veto. This takes a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.
After the President signs a bill or Congress overrides a veto, the bill officially becomes a law. It will be assigned an official law number (such as P.L 107-15), and will be listed as part of the United States Code. -
Law
A two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate was achieved! The Bill becomes a Law. The dolphin becomes a national symbol. It will be assigned an official law number (such as P.L 107-15), and will be listed as part of the United States Code.
