The process of turning a bill into a law typically involves several steps, which can vary slightly depending on the legislative body (e.g., U.S. Congress, state legislatures) and the specific rules they follow. Here’s a general outline of how this process works in the United States Congress:
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Drafting the Bill: The process begins with the drafting of a bill, which can be proposed by a member of Congress (either a senator or representative). Bills can originate in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, except for revenue bills, which must originate in the House.
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Introduction: Once drafted, the bill is introduced in the respective chamber (House or Senate) by a member of Congress. It is assigned a number (e.g., H.R. for House bills, S. for Senate bills) and is then referred to a relevant committee.
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Committee Review: The bill is sent to a committee that specializes in the bill's subject matter. The committee reviews the bill, holds hearings, and may make amendments. The committee then votes on whether to report the bill favorably, unfavorably, or table it.
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Floor Debate: If the committee approves the bill, it is sent to the floor of the chamber for debate. Members can discuss, amend, and vote on the bill. In the House, debate is often limited by rules. In the Senate, debate can be extended, sometimes leading to a filibuster.
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Voting: Following debate, the bill is put to a vote. If it receives a majority of votes, it passes that chamber. If there are amendments, those need to be resolved between the two chambers later.
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Second Chamber: The bill then moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for consideration. It goes through a similar process: committee review, floor debate, and voting.
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Reconciliation: If the second chamber passes a different version of the bill, the two chambers must reconcile the differences. This often involves a conference committee composed of members from both chambers, who negotiate a final version of the bill.
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Final Approval: The reconciled bill must be approved by both chambers. Once both the House and Senate agree on the final text, the bill is sent to the President.
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Presidential Action: The President has several options:
- Sign the bill into law: The bill becomes law.
- Veto the bill: The bill is rejected, but Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
- Allow the bill to become law without signing: If the President does not sign or veto the bill within ten days and Congress is in session, it automatically becomes law.
- Pocket veto: If Congress adjourns within ten days of sending the bill to the President, and the President does not sign it, the bill does not become law.
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Publication: Once signed into law, the bill is assigned a public law number and published in the United States Statutes at Large and later incorporated into the United States Code.
This process ensures that proposed legislation is thoroughly reviewed and debated before becoming law, with opportunities for input from various stakeholders along the way.