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How a bill becomes a law

Every law starts as an idea. Somebody notices a problem: a lunch line that embarrasses a child, or phones buzzing all through math. A lawmaker writes the idea down in careful words. That paper is called a bill.

The path, step by step (U.S. Congress)

  1. Someone has an idea. It can come from a member of Congress, or from people who ask their member of Congress for a new law. Children can practice on Design Your Future.
  2. A member introduces the bill. A member of the House of Representatives or the Senate puts the bill in, and it gets a number.
  3. A committee studies it. A small group of members research the bill, discuss it, and can change the words.
  4. That chamber votes. The bill goes before the whole House or the whole Senate for a vote.
  5. The other chamber does it again. If it passes, the other chamber researches, discusses, changes, and votes. Then both chambers work out any differences and vote on the same version.
  6. The President decides. The President can sign the bill into law, or refuse. Saying no is called a veto. Congress can still pass a vetoed bill if two-thirds of the House and two-thirds of the Senate vote yes.
  7. Time counts too. If the President keeps a bill ten days (Sundays not counted) without signing it while Congress is meeting, it becomes law anyway. If Congress has adjourned in that time, the bill does not become law. That is called a pocket veto.

States make laws too. A state legislature passes the bill, and the governor signs it or vetoes it. Many laws that touch a child’s school day, like school phone rules, are state laws.

A story version for younger children (ages 7 to 9)

Wren’s class wanted one rule changed. They wrote it on a big paper. A small group read it first and fixed the words. Then the whole class voted. The class next door voted too. Last, the principal signed it. Now it was a rule for everyone.

Questions for the kitchen table

  • What rule would you change if you could?
  • Who should read your idea first, and why?
  • Why do you think a law needs so many yes votes?

See real bills in the chamber, or read No shame at lunch, about bills on school meal debt.