Civics 6.2 Activity

Click on the + icons to learn more about each step!

After you read about the steps of how a bill becomes a law, click Next to interactively place the steps in correct order

How A Bill Becomes a Law

01

Introduction of a Bill

02

Committee Action

03

Floor Action

04

Conference Committee

Next

05

Presidential Action

Committee Action

Presidential Action

Conference Committee

Introduction of a Bill

Floor Action

SoluTIOn

Click on the numbers to see a description of the step and to drag and drop them in the correct step order of how a bill becomes a law. Check if you got it right in 'Solution'.

Civics 6.2 Activity: Number Steps of a Bill

5. Presidential Action

After both the House and Senate have approved the same version of the bill, it is sent to the President. The President has several options: Sign the Bill: The President can sign the bill into law. Veto: The President can refuse to sign the bill and return it to Congress with reasons for the veto. Congress can attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. No Action: If the President takes no action for ten days while Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes law. If Congress adjourns before the ten days are up and the President has not signed the bill, it does not become law (known as a "pocket veto").

D - #5 E - #2

A - #3 B - #1 C - #4

If the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill, it goes to a conference committee. Members from both the House and Senate negotiate a compromise bill. This final version must be approved again by both chambers.

4. Conference Committee

2. Committee Action

Referral to Committee: After introduction, the Speaker of the House or the presiding officer in the Senate assigns the bill to an appropriate committee based on its subject matter. For example, a bill related to healthcare would likely go to the Health Committee. Subcommittee Review: The full committee may send the bill to a subcommittee, where more focused debate and examination occur. This subcommittee may hold hearings to gather information and views from experts, stakeholders, and the public. Mark Up: Following review, the subcommittee may "mark up" the bill, making changes and amendments before recommending the bill back to the full committee. If significant amendments are made, the bill may be referred to as a "clean bill" — a new version that incorporates all the amendments. Committee Action to Report a Bill: The full committee then considers the bill and any subcommittee reports or recommendations. After debate, the committee votes on whether to send the bill back to the floor. If approved, the committee reports the bill back to the House or Senate floor. It may be reported with an accompanying "committee report" that explains the purpose and scope of the bill, along with its background, costs, and impact.

Referral to Committee: After introduction, the Speaker of the House or the presiding officer in the Senate assigns the bill to an appropriate committee based on its subject matter. For example, a bill related to healthcare would likely go to the Health Committee. Subcommittee Review: The full committee may send the bill to a subcommittee, where more focused debate and examination occur. This subcommittee may hold hearings to gather information and views from experts, stakeholders, and the public. Mark Up: Following review, the subcommittee may "mark up" the bill, making changes and amendments before recommending the bill back to the full committee. If significant amendments are made, the bill may be referred to as a "clean bill" — a new version that incorporates all the amendments. Committee Action to Report a Bill: The full committee then considers the bill and any subcommittee reports or recommendations. After debate, the committee votes on whether to send the bill back to the floor. If approved, the committee reports the bill back to the House or Senate floor. It may be reported with an accompanying "committee report" that explains the purpose and scope of the bill, along with its background, costs, and impact.

After both the House and Senate have approved the same version of the bill, it is sent to the President. The President has several options: Sign the Bill: The President can sign the bill into law. Veto: The President can refuse to sign the bill and return it to Congress with reasons for the veto. Congress can attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. No Action: If the President takes no action for ten days while Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes law. If Congress adjourns before the ten days are up and the President has not signed the bill, it does not become law (known as a "pocket veto").

House of Representatives: In the House, once the bill is reported out of committee, the Rules Committee decides how long the bill will be debated and whether amendments can be offered from the floor. The bill is placed on a calendar. When the bill is up for debate, members discuss it, offer amendments, and finally vote. If the bill receives a majority of votes, it passes. Senate: In the Senate, the bill is placed on the legislative calendar. It can be brought up for debate by unanimous consent or by a motion agreed upon by the majority. Senators may speak for as long as they wish unless "cloture" is invoked by three-fifths of the Senators (usually 60 out of 100) to end the debate. Amendments can be offered with no relevance to the bill's content. Following debate, the bill is also passed by a simple majority vote.

3. Floor Action

House of Representatives: In the House, once the bill is reported out of committee, the Rules Committee decides how long the bill will be debated and whether amendments can be offered from the floor. The bill is placed on a calendar. When the bill is up for debate, members discuss it, offer amendments, and finally vote. If the bill receives a majority of votes, it passes. Senate: In the Senate, the bill is placed on the legislative calendar. It can be brought up for debate by unanimous consent or by a motion agreed upon by the majority. Senators may speak for as long as they wish unless "cloture" is invoked by three-fifths of the Senators (usually 60 out of 100) to end the debate. Amendments can be offered with no relevance to the bill's content. Following debate, the bill is also passed by a simple majority vote.

House of Representatives: A Representative introduces a bill by placing it into a special box called the "hopper." The hopper is situated at the side of the Clerk's desk. Senate: A Senator introduces a bill by handing it directly to the clerk or placing it on the presiding officer’s desk.

1. Introduction of a Bill

House of Representatives: A Representative introduces a bill by placing it into a special box called the "hopper." The hopper is situated at the side of the Clerk's desk. Senate: A Senator introduces a bill by handing it directly to the clerk or placing it on the presiding officer’s desk.

If the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill, it goes to a conference committee. Members from both the House and Senate negotiate a compromise bill. This final version must be approved again by both chambers.