The Rea Report Summer 2017 | Page 8

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