HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW
nyone can draft a bill; however, only
Step 4 - Mark Up
Amembers of Congress can introduce When the hearings are completed, the sub-
legislation, and by doing so become the spon-
committee may meet to "mark up" the bill,
sor(s). There are four basic types of legisla-
that is, make changes and amendments prior
tion: bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolu-
to recommending the bill to the full commit-
tions, and simple resolutions. The official leg-
tee. If a subcommittee votes not to report leg-
islative process begins when a bill or resolu-
islation to the full committee, the bill dies.
tion is numbered (H.R. signifies a House
bill and S. a Senate bill), referred to a com-
Step 5 - Committee Actions to
mittee, and printed by the Government Print-
Report a Bill
ing Office.
After receiving a subcommittee's report on a
bill, the full committee can conduct further
Step 1 - Referral to Committee
study and hearings, or it can vote on the sub-
With few exceptions, bills are referred to
committee's recommendations and any pro-
standing committees in the House or Senate
posed amendments. The full committee then
according to specific rules of procedure. The
votes on its recommendation to the House or
names of the standing committees can be
Senate. This procedure is called "ordering a
found on the IMF Advocacy Action Center
bill reported."
at www.advocacy.myeloma.org.
Step 6 - Publication of a Written
Step 2 - Committee Action
Report
When a bill reaches a committee, it is placed
After a committee votes to have a bill re-
on the committee's calendar. A bill can be re-
ported, the committee chair has staff prepare
ferred to a subcommittee or considered by the
a written report on the bill. This report de-
committee as a whole. It is at this point that a
scribes the purpose and extent of what the
bill is examined carefully and its chances for
legislation will do, its impact on existing laws
passage are determined. If the committee does
and programs, the position of the executive
not act on a bill, it is the equivalent of killing
branch, and the views of dissenting members
it.
of the committee.
Step 3 - Subcommittee Review
Step 7 - Scheduling Floor Action
Often bills are referred to a subcommittee for
After a bill is reported back to the chamber
study and hearings. Hearings provide the op-
(House or Senate) where it originated, it is
portunity to put on the official printed record
placed in chronological order on the calendar.
the views of the executive branch, experts
In the House there are several different legis-
(e.g., myeloma patients or researchers), other
lative calendars, and the Speaker and majority
public officials, and supporters and opponents
leader largely determine if, when, and in what
of the legislation. Testimony can be given in
order bills come up. In the Senate there is on-
person or submitted as a written statement.
ly one legislative calendar.
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Step 8 - Debate
the differences between the House and Senate
When a bill reaches the floor of the House or
versions. If the conferees are unable to reach
Senate, there are rules or procedures govern-
agreement, the legislation dies. If agreement is
ing the debate on legislation. These rules de-
reached, a conference report is prepared de-
termine the conditions and amount of time
scribing the committee members' recommen-
allocated for general debate.
dations for changes. Both the House and the
Senate must approve of the conference re-
Step 9 - Voting
port.
After the debate and the approval of any
amendments, the bill is passed or defeated by
Step 12 - Final Actions
the members voting.
After a bill has been approved by both the
House and Senate in identical form, it goes to
Step 10 - Referral to Other Chamber
the President for signature. If the President
When a bill is passed by the House or the Se-
approves the legislation and signs it, it be-
nate it is referred to the other chamber where
comes law. Or, the President can take no ac-
it usually follows the same route through
tion for ten days, while Congress is in session,
committee and floor action. This chamber
and it automatically becomes law. If the Pres-
may approve the bill as received, reject it, ig-
ident opposes the bill, it can be vetoed. If the
nore it, or change it.
President takes no action within 10 days after
the Congress has adjourned its second session
Step 11 - Conference Committee
(second year of a two-year period), the effect
Action
is a "pocket veto" and the legislation dies.
If only minor changes are made to a bill by
the other chamber, it is common for the legis-
Step 13 - Overriding a Veto
lation to go back to the first chamber for con-
If the President vetoes a bill, Congress may
currence (mutual agreement by both cham-
attempt to "override the veto." To do this,
bers). However, when the actions of the other
Congress requires a two-thirds roll call vote of
chamber significantly change the bill, a confe-
the members who are present in sufficient
rence committee (with members appointed
numbers for a quorum.
from both chambers) is formed to reconcile
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