How a Bill Becomes a Law

Worksheet Description

Imagine you have a great idea for a new rule or law that you think will make your country even better. But how does that idea become an actual law? In the United States, this process has several steps, and it’s kind of like a journey!

Step #1 – The Idea: First, someone needs to have an idea for a new law. This idea can come from anyone, even you! But only members of Congress, which is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, can turn that idea into a “bill,” which is what we call a proposal for a new law.

Step #2 – Writing and Introducing the Bill: Once the idea is clear, a member of Congress writes it down in detail, and this becomes the bill. Then, the member introduces the bill to either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Step #3 – Committee Review: After the bill is introduced, it goes to a special group, or “committee.” These committees are like teams that study different topics. They look at the bill closely, discuss it, and might even make some changes.

Step #4 – Voting Time: If the committee thinks the bill is a good one, it goes to the whole House of Representatives or Senate for a vote. All the members decide if they like the bill by voting “yes” or “no.” If most of them vote “yes,” the bill moves on.

Step #5 – Switching Houses: Here’s where it gets a bit tricky. If the bill started in the House of Representatives and they said “yes,” now it’s the Senate’s turn to look at it. If it started in the Senate, then it goes to the House of Representatives. The other group will discuss and vote on the bill just like before.

Step #6 – Agreement: If both the House of Representatives and the Senate say “yes” to the bill (even after some changes), they need to make sure both versions are the same. Once they agree, the bill is almost there!

Step #7 – The President’s Turn: The bill then goes to the President of the United States. The
President can do one of three things:

Sign the bill, which means it becomes a law. Yay!

Not sign it and send it back with notes or concerns. This is called a “veto.” Do nothing. If the President doesn’t sign or veto the bill within 10 days and Congress is still in
session, the bill becomes a law on its own.

Step #8 – Becoming a Law: If the President signs the bill or does nothing, hooray! The bill completes its journey and becomes an official law of the land.