Federal Research: How a Bill Becomes a Law

Senators or Representatives introduce bills or resolutions into their respective houses.

Bills are referred to the appropriate committee and sub committee.  Hearings are held.

Committees and subcommittees report their findings and recommendations to their houses.

House bills are debated by the entire House.  if they are passed, the bill is forwarded to the Senate for considerations.  Senate bills are debated by the entire Senate and, if approved, are forwarded to the House for consideration.

If different versions of the bill are passed by the two houses, a conference committee is formed to settle the differences.  The conference committee consists of members from both the House and Senate.

The compromise is sent back to both the House and the Senate, where it is again debated.  If both houses pass the bill, it is forwarded to the President for approval.

The President will either sign the bill into law or will veto the bill.  If the President vetoes the bill, it can go back to Congress, where a 2/3 vote of each House overrides the veto.