How Does An Idea Become A Law?

An idea can become a law at any time. One's idea becomes a law through a series of steps, which could take a long time to complete. After one comes up with an idea, he must contact his local congressman who will then write the bill and propose it to Congress. This person is known as the bill's sponsor. Only members of Congress can sponsor a bill. Bills are introduced differently depending on if they are introduced in the House or in Senate. If introduced in the House, the bills are placed in a box called a "hopper." Bills introduced to the Senate are presented on the Senate Floor or on an officer's desk. After, the bill is sent to a committee for discussion, and the bill is put into electronic form for the Library of Congress and placed on a public website.

The bill then gets referred to either a House committee or a Senate committee. Each has its own set of public policies that they specifically deal with. They then choose a date to discuss the proposed bill and make any needed changes to it. If the committee members decide to make numerous changes, they can make a "clean bill," a bill with a new number. The committee then votes on the bill and decides if it is necessary or not. If it is found unnecessary, the bill is then "tabled," or stopped. If this does not happen, the bill is then sent to a subcommittee for further review, or it is reported back to the House floor for consideration. House bills are normally considered through a tool called a Committee of the Whole, which speeds up the process. The members debate, and the bill is read a total of three times. After the third time, the members then vote on the bill using the electronic voting system in the House Chamber. If a majority of the House passes the bill, it is then sent to the Senate for a second vote. Both houses of Congress must pass a bill before moving on to the next step. The Senate also has the right to make amendments to the bill, and both houses must come to an agreement on the revisions. When the House and Senate both pass a bill, it is "enrolled," and then passed on to the president to sign. If the president takes no action for ten days, and Congress is currently in session, then the bill automatically becomes a law. If the president takes no action, and Congress has adjourned its session, then the bill dies and is not made into a law. However, if the president does take action and sign the bill, then it becomes a law. The president also has the right to veto the bill and send it back to Congress with an official statement of objections. Congress then reads the president's objections and decides whether they agree or disagree. If enough people in Congress disagree, they take a vote to override the veto, and it is then made into a law if two-thirds of the House and Senate vote in favor of the bill. This long process of checks and balances is how one simple idea can become a law.

Sources: http://clerkkids.house.gov/laws/index.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ (Schoolhouse Rock: How A Bill Becomes A Law)