What steps are required to make a new law?

Bills go through a lengthy process to become law. There are multiple points at which a bill could die in the Senate or the House or even on the President's desk, or, metaphorically, in his “pocket.”

First a bill must be introduced on the floor of the House or Senate and then referred to the appropriate committee.

Once the bill is in committee, its initial fate is determined by the committee chairman, who decides whether...

Bills go through a lengthy process to become law. There are multiple points at which a bill could die in the Senate or the House or even on the President's desk, or, metaphorically, in his “pocket.”

First a bill must be introduced on the floor of the House or Senate and then referred to the appropriate committee.

Once the bill is in committee, its initial fate is determined by the committee chairman, who decides whether or not the bill will be heard and amended by the committee. At this point, bills are often referred to a subcommittee for further study. Then the bill is voted on by the full committee; if approved, the bill goes back to the floor of the Senate or House.

The Speaker of the House and the Senate majority leader then decide whether or not the bill will proceed to the floor for debate. Obviously, this is a significant decision. If the bill doesn't make it to the floor, it won't have a chance to become law.

After debate, there is the all-important vote. If the bill is passed it is sent to the other chamber for a vote. If approved by the other chamber without changes, it is sent to the president. If it is approved, but changed, it goes to a conference committee with members of the House and Senate working together to try to compromise.

If it makes it out of the conference committee, it is sent to the president.

The president now has several choices. He can sign it and it becomes law. He can let it sit on his desk, unacted upon. After ten days of inaction the bill passes, if Congress is still in session. However, if Congress is no longer in session, the bill dies on the president's desk after ten days. This is the “pocket veto.”

If the bill is vetoed (or pocket-vetoed) by the president, the Senate and House can over-ride the veto and make it law with a two-thirds vote.