HOW TO PASS A LAW
When a new administration takes office, we hear a lot of talk about changes
being made to existing legislation. The same has been true of the Trump
administration. But here’s the thing, passing a new law or repealing one that
already exists doesn’t just happen overnight. In fact, the average time it takes
for a bill to become a law is 263.67 days! For a little more perspective, the
%
85
following illustration demonstrates the long, hard journey an idea has to take
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
BECOMING A BILL
It all starts with a bill. Each bill requires
Congressional support before moving on.
CONGRESSIONAL INTRODUCTION
Each bill is assigned a number and placed in
the “Bill Hopper” where it’s formally introduced
to The U.S. House of Representatives.
COMMITTEE REVIEW
The committee reviews, researches and revis-
es the bill. It may be sent to a subcommittee,
which will get it ready for the main committee’s
final review and approval.
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE
Next, the bill is debated on the House floor.
Representatives can voice their opinions about
the bill, and final changes are recommended.
THE VOTE
House members can cast their vote. If the
majority approves, it’s certified by the Clerk of
the House.
KNOW
before becoming the law of the land.
SENATE REVIEW
Following discussion by a Senate committee,
the Senate votes. If the majority approves, it
moves on to the White House.
BIRTH OF A LAW / A BILL FINALLY
BECOMES A LAW WHEN:
• The president signs it into law.
• It receives a two-thirds favorable vote by
both the House and the Senate (in the event
of a presidential veto).
• It sits stagnant for 10 days while Congress
is in session (in the event that the president
takes no action).
SOURCES
https://lucas.house.gov/legislative-work/how-bill-becomes-law
https://votesmart.org/education/how-a-bill-becomes-law#.WRxIquQ2xPY
https://www.congress.gov/
8
OF BILLS DIE AFTER BEING
INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS
263.67
days
THE AVERAGE TIME IT
TAKES FOR BILL TO
BECOME A LAW
4 %
OF BILLS WILL
ACTUALLY
BECOME A LAW
111
2,572
PRESIDENTIAL
VETOES IN HISTORY
VETOES
OVERRIDDEN BY CONGRESS