How a Bill Becomes a Law

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How a Bill Becomes a Law When a senator or a representative introduces a bill, he or she sends it to his clerk, who gives it a number and title. The committee may decide the bill is unwise or unnecessary and table it, thus killing it at once. They may also decide the bill is worthwhile and hold hearings to listen to facts and opinions. After members of the committee have debated the bill, a vote is taken. If the vote is favorable, the bill is sent back to the floor of the house. Members of the house may then debate the bill and offer amendments. In the House of Representatives, the time for debate is limited by a cloture rule, but there is no such restriction in the Senate for cloture, where 60 votes are required. This makes possible a filibuster, in which one or more opponents hold the floor to defeat the bill. The next step is by title only, and the bill is put to a vote, which may be by voice or roll call. The bill then goes to the other house of Congress, where it may be defeated, or passed with or without amendments. If the bill is defeated, it dies. If it is passed with amendments, a joint congressional committee must be appointed by both houses to iron out the differences. After its final pass through both houses, the bill is sent to the president. If he approves, he signs it, and the bill becomes a law. If he disapproves, he vetoes the bill by refusing to sign it and sending it back to the house of origin with his reasons for the veto. The objections are read and debated, and a roll-call vote is taken. If the bill receives less than a two-thirds vote, it is defeated and goes no further. But if it receives a two-thirds vote or greater, it is sent to the other house for a vote. If that house also passes it by a two-thirds vote, the president's veto is overridden, and the bill becomes a law. Should the president desire neither to sign nor to veto the

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