How a Bill Becomes a Law (Flowchart)

Though a bill can originate in EITHER the House or Senate, let’s focus on a bill introduced in the House.

Step 1: Assigned to a committee that will in turn assign the bill to a subcommittee

Reported to the floor of the House with: Not reported to the floor of the House;
“pass” or “no pass” recommendation
Amendments “died in committee”
an entirely new bill

Once reported to the floor of the House, the following actions take place:

 Placed on calendar for consideration by the whole House

 Rules Committee sets rules for consideration

 Debated by members

 Voted on by members

If passed, If not passed,

Bill is sent to Senate Bill dies on the floor

How is this process different in the Senate?

No time limit, vote not taken until unanimous consent (allowance of filibusters)

If passed in its original form, If not passed,

Sent to the White House Bill dies on the floor

If passed with amendments/modifications

The bill must be sent to a conference committee

If reconciled bill passed If not passed

Bill dies on the floor

The President may:

Sign the bill into law, veto the bill (subject to override by two-thirds vote of House and Senate), permit bill to become law by not
signing it after 10 days, pocket veto the bill