U.S. Government and Civics / Unit 6: Congress
6.5 How a Bill Becomes a Law
Notes
Thousands of bills are introduced each Congress; only a small share become law.
- Introduction: only a member of Congress can formally introduce a bill.
- Committee: the bill goes to a committee and subcommittee for hearings and markup (changes). Most bills die here.
- Floor: the House debates under rules set by the Rules Committee. A discharge petition signed by a majority (218) can force a bill out of committee.
- In the Senate, a filibuster (extended debate) can delay a vote. Cloture, which ends debate, needs 60 votes (three-fifths).
- Both houses must pass the identical bill; a conference committee may reconcile versions.
- President: signs it, vetoes it, or does nothing. If Congress is in session, an unsigned bill becomes law after 10 days (Sundays excepted). If Congress adjourns within those 10 days, the bill dies: a pocket veto.
- Congress can override a veto with two-thirds of both houses.
Practice
A group of senators keeps debating to block a vote on a bill. Supporters need how many votes to invoke cloture?
Cloture requires three-fifths of the Senate, or 60 votes.
The president receives a bill, does not sign it, and Congress adjourns five days later. What happens?
If Congress adjourns before the 10 days pass, an unsigned bill does not become law.
At which stage do most bills die?
Committees decline to act on most bills introduced.
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