The legislative process in the United States Congress begins with the introduction of a bill. A bill is a proposed law that is submitted to either the House of Representatives or the Senate for consideration.
Key Facts
- Introduction of a Bill: A bill is introduced when a representative or senator sponsors it and submits it to the respective chamber of Congress.
- House of Representatives: In the House, a bill is introduced by dropping it in the hopper, which is a wooden box on the House floor[3].
- Senate: In the Senate, the bill is submitted to clerks on the Senate floor.
- Designation: Upon introduction, the bill receives a designation based on the chamber of introduction. For example, bills introduced in the House are designated as H.R. (House of Representatives) or H.J. Res. (House Joint Resolution).
- Committee Assignment: After introduction, the bill is assigned to a committee for study and review[3].
- Committee Hearings and Reports: The committee may hold hearings, gather input from experts and stakeholders, and make revisions to the bill. If the committee approves the bill, it is reported to the full chamber for consideration.
- Floor Consideration: The bill is then placed on a calendar to be debated, amended, and voted upon by the members of the respective chamber[3].
- Passage: If the bill passes by a simple majority vote in the chamber (218 of 435 in the House, 51 of 100 in the Senate), it moves to the other chamber for consideration[3].
- Conference Committee: If the Senate makes changes to the bill, it must be reconciled with the version passed by the House. A conference committee, consisting of members from both chambers, works to resolve any differences and produce a final version of the bill.
- Presidential Approval: Once both chambers agree on the final version, the bill is sent to the President. The President has 10 days to sign the bill into law, veto it, or let it become law without signature.
Process of Introduction
House of Representatives
In the House of Representatives, a bill is introduced by placing it in the “hopper,” a wooden box located on the House floor. The bill must be sponsored by at least one representative and can have multiple cosponsors.
Senate
In the Senate, a bill is introduced by submitting it to clerks on the Senate floor. Similar to the House, a bill must be sponsored by at least one senator and can have multiple cosponsors.
Designation
Upon introduction, a bill receives a designation based on the chamber of introduction. Bills introduced in the House are designated as H.R. (House of Representatives) or H.J. Res. (House Joint Resolution). Bills introduced in the Senate are designated as S. (Senate) or S.J. Res. (Senate Joint Resolution).
Committee Assignment
After introduction, the bill is assigned to a committee for study and review. The committee may hold hearings, gather input from experts and stakeholders, and make revisions to the bill. If the committee approves the bill, it is reported to the full chamber for consideration.
Subsequent Steps
Following committee approval, the bill is placed on a calendar to be debated, amended, and voted upon by the members of the respective chamber. If the bill passes by a simple majority vote, it moves to the other chamber for consideration. If the Senate makes changes to the bill, the differences must be reconciled through a conference committee. Once both chambers agree on the final version, the bill is sent to the President for approval.
Sources
- Congress.gov: Introduction and Referral of Bills
- House.gov: The Legislative Process
- Congressman Bill Keating: The Legislative Process
FAQs
What is a bill?
A bill is a proposed law that is submitted to either the House of Representatives or the Senate for consideration.
How is a bill introduced in the House of Representatives?
In the House, a bill is introduced by placing it in the “hopper,” a wooden box located on the House floor.
How is a bill introduced in the Senate?
In the Senate, a bill is introduced by submitting it to clerks on the Senate floor.
What is the designation of a bill introduced in the House of Representatives?
Bills introduced in the House are designated as H.R. (House of Representatives) or H.J. Res. (House Joint Resolution).
What is the designation of a bill introduced in the Senate?
Bills introduced in the Senate are designated as S. (Senate) or S.J. Res. (Senate Joint Resolution).
What happens to a bill after it is introduced?
After introduction, the bill is assigned to a committee for study and review. The committee may hold hearings, gather input from experts and stakeholders, and make revisions to the bill. If the committee approves the bill, it is reported to the full chamber for consideration.
What is the next step after a bill is approved by a committee?
The bill is placed on a calendar to be debated, amended, and voted upon by the members of the respective chamber.
What happens if a bill passes by a simple majority vote?
If the bill passes by a simple majority vote, it moves to the other chamber for consideration.