How does a Bill become a Law?

Do you know how a Bill becomes a Law?

Laws start off as ideas.

These ideas are not always from someone in law, they can be from citizens just like you and me.

When a Bill is written, it needs a sponsor.

Representatives need to like the Bill, and support it in order for it to be introduced.

There is a special box, called a Hopper on the side of the Clerks desk in the U.S. House of Representatives, where Bills are placed.

A Clerk then gives each Bill a number beginning with H.R. Then a reading clerk reads the bill to the Representatives, and the bill is sent to one of the House standing committees.

The committee members read, research, and revise the bill before voting on whether to send it back to the House floor.

If they want more information, the bill is sent to a subcommittee. The subcommittee read the bill, and expert opinions are gathered before it is sent back to the committee for approval.

Once the committee approves the bill, it is sent to the House floor.

Once it has been sent to the House floor, it is ready to be debated.

Representatives discuss the bill and say why they like or dislike the bill.

After that, the bill is read section by section to the Representatives, and they can recommend changes if they feel its necessary. When the changes have been made, it can be voted on.

When voting on a bill, there are 3 different methods.

One is called the Viva Voce, which is a Voice Vote. Each representative is asked whether they are or are not in favor of the bill. If they are, they say, "aye" if not, they say "no".