As an expert in the field of lawmaking, I have witnessed firsthand the complex and intricate process of passing a new law in the United States. It is a process that involves multiple steps, various committees, and extensive debates. In this article, I will guide you through the journey of how a bill becomes a law in the US. First and foremost, it is important to understand what a bill is. A bill is a proposal for a new law or an amendment to an existing one.
It can be introduced by members of Congress or even by ordinary citizens who recommend a change to their representative. Once a bill is submitted, it goes through a series of steps before it can become a law. The first step in the process is for the bill to be assigned to a committee. This committee, made up of members of Congress, will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. If the committee approves the bill, it is then sent to both houses of Congress for voting. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives must vote to accept the bill.
If there are any differences between the two versions, they must be resolved before it can move forward. Once both houses vote on the same version of the bill and it is approved, it is then sent to the President for final approval. The President has 10 days to either sign or veto the bill. If signed, it becomes a law. However, if vetoed, it can still become a law if two-thirds of both houses vote to override the veto. Now let's take a closer look at how a bill is introduced in Congress.
Any member of Congress can write a bill, whether they are in the Senate or House of Representatives. The main sponsor of the bill is the member who introduces it, while other members who support it are called co-sponsors. Once the bill is written, it is submitted and can be found on Congress.gov, the official government website that tracks federal legislation. In addition to members of Congress, other entities such as the Mayor or independent agencies can also submit bills to the Council. These bills are then assigned to a committee for review and consideration.
If the committee decides to review the bill, they will hold a hearing where they will listen to testimony from both supporters and opponents of the bill. The committee may also make changes to the bill before sending it to the full Council for a vote. Once a bill is submitted outside of the Council, it is reviewed by a special committee called the Committee of the Whole (COW). This committee is made up of all 13 members of the Council and prepares all bills to be voted on at the next legislative meeting. When a bill is passed in both chambers of Congress in an identical form, it is then sent to the President for final approval. If signed, it becomes a law and is known as a public law.
However, if the President does not take any action within 10 days while Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes a law. It is important to note that laws can also be referred to as statutes. These terms are used interchangeably and refer to any legislation that has been passed by Congress. The process of passing a new law in the US is a lengthy and complex one. It involves multiple steps, committees, and votes before a bill can become a law. However, this process ensures that all proposed laws are thoroughly reviewed and debated before being enacted.
