Templates 
How a Bill Becomes Law
How a Bill Becomes Law
How a Bill Becomes Law
This template is intended to help you better understand the process from a drafted bill to enacted law.
How a Bill Becomes Law
This diagram was created on Mar 21, 2021 9:27 PM and was last updated Jul 13, 2021 11:52 AM.
1.
Draft Bill
Draft Bill
Ideas for legislation and drafts of legislation come from many areas, including members of Congress, Congressional committees, constituents, lobbyists, state legislatures, the president, federal departments, and federal agencies.[2] The House Office of the Legislative Counsel and Senate Office of the Legislative Counsel are available to create or modify legislation for members and committees.[3][4][5] In many cases, lobbyists write legislation and submit it to a member for introduction.[citation needed] Congressional lobbyists are legally required to be registered in a central database. Drafting statutes is an art that requires "great skill, knowledge, and experience."[2] Congressional committees sometimes draft bills after studies and hearings covering periods of a year or more.[2]
Links to2. Bill Draft
2.
Bill Draft
Bill Draft
A proposal usually takes one of four principal forms: the bill, the joint resolution, the concurrent resolution, and the simple resolution.[6] Bills are laws in the making. A House-originated bill begins with the letters "H.R." for "House of Representatives", followed by a number kept as it progresses.[6] It is presented to the president after both Houses agree.[6] Joint resolutions - There is little practical difference between a bill and a joint resolution since both are treated similarly; a joint resolution originating from the House, for example, begins "H.J.Res." followed by its number.[6] Concurrent resolutions affect only the House and Senate, and accordingly aren't presented to the president for approval later. In the House, it begins with "H.Con.Res."[6] Simple resolutions concern only the House or only the Senate and begin with "H.Res." or "S.Res." respectively[6] Most legislative proposals are introduced as bills, but some are introduced as joint resolutions. There is little practical difference between the two, except that joint resolutions may include preambles but bills may not. Joint resolutions are the normal method used to propose a constitutional amendment or to declare war. On the other hand, concurrent resolutions (passed by both houses) and simple resolutions (passed by only one house) do not have the force of law. Instead, they serve to express the opinion of Congress, or to regulate procedure.
Linked from1. Draft Bill
Links to3. Introduce Bill into House?
3.
Introduce Bill into House?
Introduce Bill into House?
Bills may be introduced by any member of either house. However, the Constitution provides that: "All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives." As a result, the Senate does not have the power to initiate bills imposing taxes. Furthermore, the House of Representatives holds that the Senate does not have the power to originate appropriation bills, or bills authorizing the expenditure of federal funds. Historically, the Senate has disputed the interpretation advocated by the House. However, whenever the Senate originates an appropriations bill, the House simply refuses to consider it, thereby settling the dispute in practice. Nevertheless, while the Senate cannot originate revenue and appropriation bills, it does retain the power to amend or reject them. A congressional act in 1974 established procedures to try to establish appropriate annual spending levels.[7]
Linked from2. Bill Draft
Links to4. Introduce Bill into House
4.
Introduce Bill into House
Introduce Bill into House
Any member of Congress may introduce legislation at any time while the House[clarification needed] is in session by placing it in the hopper on the Clerk's desk.[6] A sponsor's signature is required, and there can be many co-sponsors. It's assigned a number by the Clerk. The usual next step is for the proposal to be passed to a committee for review.[2]
Linked from3. Introduce Bill into House?
Links to6. Bill (Proposal)
5.
Introduce Bill into Sentate
Introduce Bill into Sentate
Your task's description here...
Linked from3. Introduce Bill into House?
6.
Bill (Proposal)
Bill (Proposal)
Your report's description here...
Linked from4. Introduce Bill into House
Links to7. Assign Number
7.
Assign Number
Assign Number
It's assigned a number by the Clerk.
Linked from6. Bill (Proposal)
Links to8. Bill with Number
8.
Bill with Number
Bill with Number
Your report's description here...
Linked from7. Assign Number
Links to9. Assign Bill to appropriate Committeeand 1 more
9.
Assign Bill to appropriate Committee
Assign Bill to appropriate Committee
The usual next step is for the proposal to be passed to a committee for review.[2]
Linked from8. Bill with Number
10.
Standing or Select Committee?
Standing or Select Committee?
Your decision's description here...
Linked from9. Assign Bill to appropriate Committee
Links to12. Consideration by Committee
11.
Analysis of the Bill
Analysis of the Bill
Your task's description here...
Linked from8. Bill with Number
Links to12. Consideration by Committee
12.
Consideration by Committee
Consideration by Committee
The first stage involves consideration by a committee which often seeks input from relevant departments as well as requests feedback from the Government Accountability Office.[8]
Linked from11. Analysis of the Billand 1 more
13.
Select Committee Meeting
Select Committee Meeting
Your meeting's description here...
Linked from10. Standing or Select Committee?
