The Process of Passing Legislation in the United States Congress

:clipboard:The legislative process in Congress is complex and requires support from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

:raised_hands:Bills can be sponsored by representatives or senators for various reasons, such as addressing specific issues or fulfilling requests from constituents or interest groups.

:busts_in_silhouette:Committees and subcommittees play a vital role in the legislative process, holding hearings, making recommendations, and amending bills.

:ballot_box_with_check:Debate and voting take place in both chambers of Congress, with rule differences between the House and the Senate.

:pen:Once a bill passes both chambers, it goes to the president for approval, which can include signing the bill, inaction resulting in it becoming law, or vetoing the bill.

What is the first step in the legislative process?

—The first step is sponsorship of the bill by a representative or senator.

What role do committees play in the legislative process?

—Committees and subcommittees review, amend, and hold hearings to gather information about the bill.

How does voting work in Congress?

—Both the House and Senate vote on the bill, and it needs a simple majority to pass.

Can the president veto a bill?

—Yes, the president can veto a bill, but it can still become law if two-thirds of Congress votes to override the veto.

What happens if the House and Senate pass different versions of a bill?

—A conference committee may be formed to reconcile the differences between the two versions, or the leadership of both chambers may reconcile the bills.

00:00Passing legislation through Congress is a challenging process.

00:50The first step is sponsorship of the bill.

01:26Committees and subcommittees review and amend the bill.

03:38Debate and voting take place in both chambers.

06:23Once the bill passes both chambers, it goes to the president for approval.