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How a Bill Becomes a Law

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Perhaps the most complicated, unaltered step by step process is the process of a bill becoming a law. In order for a bill to become a law it takes more than just adding rules to a rule book, it’s a very extensive process that involves a lot of people and time. Some bills will never make it through this process, but for those who really want their bill to pass, they have to keep fighting as the bill goes through every process that it needs to become a law. The whole process begins when a representative have an idea for a new law, this representative becomes the sponsor and submits the bill to the clerk of the house, or places the bill in the box called the Hopper. The bill is then assigned a legislative number; H.R for bills going to the house and S. for bills going to the senate. Once the speaker of the house receives the bill, he/she assigns the bill to one of the twenty-two committees to be studied, they also hear testimonies form those who are interested in the bill. The Committee may then release the bill with a recommendation to pass it, revise the bill then release it, or let the house vote on the bill. Once the bill is released it gets added to a list of bills awaiting action, the committee could call for the bill to be voted on quickly. But to do this they must write a report on why they favor this bill and why they want the bill to become a law. One the bill is placed on one of the houses calendars, the speaker of the house and the majority leader will decide which bills will reach the floor and when. If a large amount of senators favor the bill then the bill may be brought to the floor faster. In order for this to happen there will be a debate amongst the committee as a whole, the committee can amend the bill but not pass the bill. The bill will then go back to the house to be voted on; there must be two hundred and eighteen members present to have a

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