how a bill becomes a law flowchart

If you’ve ever wondered how a bill becomes a law, you’re not alone. The process can seem complicated and confusing, but it’s actually fairly straightforward. In this article, we’ll walk you through each step of the process, using a flowchart to help you visualize each step along the way.

Step 1: Introduction of the Bill

The first step in the process of passing a bill is the introduction of the bill. This can be done by any member of Congress, but bills that are introduced by members of the House of Representatives must be introduced in the House, while bills introduced by members of the Senate must be introduced in the Senate.

Once a bill has been introduced, it is assigned a number, and it is referred to a committee for further consideration. The committee can choose to hold hearings on the bill, during which experts and other interested parties can testify about the bill’s potential impacts and implications.

Step 2: Committee Consideration

After a bill has been referred to a committee, the committee will consider it carefully. The committee may make changes to the bill, or it may recommend that the bill be passed as is. If the committee does recommend that the bill be passed, it will go to the full House or Senate for consideration.

If the committee recommends that the bill not be passed, the bill may die in committee, or it may be sent back to the House or Senate for further consideration. In some cases, a bill may be amended and returned to the committee for further consideration before it can be passed.

Step 3: Floor Consideration

If a bill makes it through committee, it will move on to the full House or Senate for consideration. During this stage, members of the House or Senate will debate the bill, and they may propose amendments to it. Once all amendments have been considered, the bill will be voted on.

If the bill passes in the House or Senate, it will move on to the other chamber for consideration. If the other chamber passes the bill as well, it will go to the President for consideration.

Step 4: Presidential Consideration

Once a bill has been passed by both the House and the Senate, it will be sent to the President for consideration. The President can choose to sign the bill into law, or he can veto it. If the President vetoes the bill, it can still become law if two-thirds of the House and Senate vote to override the veto.

Step 5: Enactment

If the President signs the bill into law, it will become law immediately, or it may stipulate a specific date in the future when it will become law. At this point, the bill has become a law, and it will be added to the United States Code, which is the official compilation of federal laws.

Conclusion

The process of passing a bill can seem complicated, but it’s actually fairly straightforward. By following the steps outlined in this flowchart, you can get a better understanding of how bills become laws in the United States.

  1. Introduction of the Bill – Any member of Congress can introduce a bill, which is then referred to a committee for consideration.
  2. Committee Consideration – The committee will consider the bill and may make changes to it before recommending that it be passed.
  3. Floor Consideration – The full House or Senate will debate the bill and may propose amendments to it before it is voted on.
  4. Presidential Consideration – The President can choose to sign the bill into law or veto it.
  5. Enactment – If the bill is signed into law, it becomes law immediately or on a specific future date.