How a Bill Becomes a
Law – The House
In the House
• Any member can introduce a bill
• APPROPRIATIONS bills can
only start in the House (raising
revenue)
• Each Bill is numbered and titled
• And then it is referred to the
appropriate Standing Committee
In Committee . . .
The bill is . . .
Debated, rewritten, riders attached
MOST DIE Here in committee
Only 10% become law
Rider
An addition to a bill
an idea that would not pass
on its own
“a bad idea attached
to a winning bill”
Pigeonholing
Pigeonholing – letting the bill
die -- Chairmen’s power
Discharge Petition
On the Floor - Debate
House Rules Committee –
limits debates
Works with Speaker to
schedule bills for consideration
On the Floor - Debate
House has time limits
The Speaker oversees debate,
rules and time limits
On the Floor - Voting
Quorum – Majority present
On the Floor - Voting
Voice Vote – “aye” or “no”
Standing Vote – to demand a roll call
vote
Roll Call Vote
Electronic, scoreboard,
15 minutes
If Passed the House
the Bill Moves on to
the Senate
CONFERENCE
COMMITTEE
• Both houses work together to create one
version of the bill
FINAL VOTE
• Both chambers must pass the bill
President
• President can…
– Approve the bill
– Veto – cancel the bill
– Pocket Veto – allow the bill to expire
(ignore it until it dies)
• President can’t…
– Rewrite the bill
– line item veto – veto just a PART of the
bill
• Some Governors have this power…