Bill

Definition

A bill is a formal proposal for new legislation or an amendment to existing legislation, introduced in Congress for consideration and debate. It serves as the primary vehicle for enacting laws, reflecting the interests and needs of constituents while undergoing a rigorous process of review, revision, and approval before becoming law.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A bill can be introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, and must pass through both chambers before it can be sent to the president for approval.
2. Most bills do not become law; only about 10% of introduced bills successfully pass all stages of the legislative process.
3. Bills can originate from various sources, including members of Congress, committees, and even private citizens or interest groups who advocate for specific changes.
4. Once a bill is passed by both chambers of Congress, it goes to the president, who can either sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.
5. There are different types of bills, including public bills (affecting general public policy), private bills (affecting specific individuals or organizations), and appropriations bills (related to government spending).

Review Questions

• What steps must a bill go through in Congress before it can become law?
  • Before a bill can become law, it must go through several key steps in Congress. First, the bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. Next, it is assigned to a committee for review and possible amendments. If approved by the committee, it moves to the floor for debate and voting. If it passes one chamber, it then goes to the other chamber where the process repeats. If both chambers approve the final version of the bill, it is sent to the president for approval.
• Discuss the role congressional committees play in the legislative process regarding bills.
  • Congressional committees are essential to the legislative process as they provide a structured environment for detailed examination of bills. When a bill is introduced, it is referred to an appropriate committee that specializes in relevant issues. Committees hold hearings to gather information, conduct discussions, and make recommendations on whether a bill should proceed. This allows for thorough scrutiny and revision of proposed legislation before it reaches the floor for broader debate, helping to ensure that only well-considered bills advance through Congress.
• Evaluate how the veto power affects the legislative process and the fate of bills in Congress.
  • The veto power significantly influences the legislative process by allowing the president to reject bills passed by Congress. This authority acts as a check on congressional actions, ensuring that legislation aligns with executive priorities. When a president vetoes a bill, Congress can attempt to override that veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers. The need for such supermajorities can lead to negotiations and compromises between legislative and executive branches, shaping the final content of laws and often requiring lawmakers to consider presidential preferences during their decision-making processes.

Related terms

legislation: The act of making or enacting laws through a structured process involving proposed bills that are debated and voted on by legislative bodies.

congressional committee: A sub-group within Congress that reviews bills and decides whether they should advance for further consideration or be rejected.

veto: The constitutional power of the president to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law unless overridden by a supermajority in both houses.