How a bill becomes a law (US)

Process map by Brian. 34 steps, 2 layers. Tags: politics, us government, civics.

  1. A member of Congress: An idea becomes a bill with a sponsor
  2. The House: The bill is introduced and sent to a committee
  3. A committee: Hearings, expert testimony and a markup
  4. A committee: Does the committee advance it?
  5. The House: Floor debate and a vote: a simple majority passes it
  6. The House: Does it pass?
  7. The Senate: The Senate takes it up: committee, then the floor
  8. The Senate: Does it pass in exactly the same form?
  9. The President: The President signs or vetoes
  10. The President: Signed?
  11. The public: It becomes law
  12. The public: Courts may review it later
  13. The House: Do two-thirds of both chambers override the veto?
  14. The President: The veto stands
  15. The Senate: The two chambers negotiate one version
  16. The House: Both chambers vote on the final text
  17. The House: The bill fails
  18. A committee: It dies in committee, which is where most bills end

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