The process of making a law in the United States is relatively straightforward. The system encourages input from a number of branches of government, as well as from citizens, ensuring that lawmaking is beneficial for the country as a whole. Understanding the lawmaking procedure can make it easier for citizens to be more active in their government.
The first step in making a law is visualizing the law and introducing it to the House or Senate. Anyone can think up legislation, but only members of Congress can actively introduce bills. For example, a committee of civilians might approach their senator about introducing a piece of legislation, or the executive branch might propose a bill. A member of the legislature may also come up with a bill independently, because he or she feels that a law about a particular issue will benefit the American people.
A senator or congressperson writes the bill and formally introduces it, at which point he or she is regarded as a sponsor. In some cases, a bill has multiple co-sponsors, suggesting that it is a cooperative effort that represents the desires of multiple constituencies.
Once a bill is introduced, it is sent into committee. Both the House and Senate have numerous committees covering issues from natural resources to the military, so a law pertaining to changes in the tax law, for example, would be sent to the Committee on Taxation. Once in committee, the proposed law is reviewed by members of the committee. They can choose to table it, meaning that the bill essentially dies, or they can make recommendations and release the law back onto the floor for voting. This step is important, because it collects input from the committee and organizations that might have contributions to the text of the law. In the case above, for example, members of the committee might hold hearings which include members of the Internal Revenue Service to discuss the proposed changes.
Voting and debate are the next steps in making a law. Once the committee has recommended a bill, it can be further discussed and modified until a vote is taken. If the bill is approved, it is sent to the other house of Congress, where the entire process is repeated. If both the Senate and the House approve a bill, it is sent to the president for signing. More commonly, both houses approve the bill with variations, forcing a joint committee to reach an agreement somewhere in the middle. With controversial legislature, the efforts of this joint committee may be a crucial aspect of creating a law.
When a law is sent to the president, he or she can sign it, indicating approval, or veto it, rejecting the law and requesting that Congress re-write it. If the president does nothing for 10 days, the bill automatically passes into law. If Congress adjourns before the 10 day period is up, the result is a “pocket veto,” and the bill does not pass into law. The entire process can be rushed through in a matter of days with important legislation, or it can be dragged on for an extended period of time as the law bounces between houses and committees.