American Knife & Tool Institute
The official legislative process begins when a bill or resolution has been assigned a number (S.
designates a Senate bill and H.R. a House bill), referred to a committee and printed by the U.S.
Government Printing Office. Bills must be introduced by a member of Congress (who becomes the
"sponsor"), but anyone can draft the wording.
Committee Referral: Procedural rules determine how bills are referred to the various standing
committees of the House or Senate.
Committee Action: Each bill referred is placed on the committee's calendar. It can be considered by the
entire committee or referred to a subcommittee for review. This phase of the process is very important as
bills are examined by the committee to determine how likely it is to be passed. If a committee does not act
on a bill, it has the same effect as killing the bill.
Subcommittee Review: Bills are referred by the committee to a subcommittee to allow further study
and/or hearings. This process allows the opportunity to put on record the views of supporters,
opponents, executive departments, experts and others. Testimony is presented in person or by
written statement.
Mark Up: The subcommittee can meet to make changes or amendments to the bill.
Recommending: The subcommittee can make a recommendation that the committee act on the
bill. If the subcommittee does not report back to the committee recommending the legislation then
the bill is dead.
Committee Ordering a Bill Reported: The full committee can conduct hearings or studies on a bill,
in addition to whatever a subcommittee may have done. Then the full committee votes on its
recommendation.
Committee Publication of Written Report: The committee chairman requests the staff to write a report on
the bill describing the intent and scope of the legislation, the executive branch's position, any effects on
current laws, and the opinions of any committee members who voted against "ordering a bill reported."
Chamber Floor Action Scheduled: After the committee reports the bill back to the chamber (House or
Senate), the legislation is placed on the calendar for consideration in chronological order.
Floor Debate: Each chamber has different procedures for the time and rules of general debate on
proposed legislation.
Voting: After any changes to the legislation have been introduced, the members vote to either pass or
defeat the bill.
Referral to Other Chamber: After a bill has been passed in one chamber, it is referred to the other one.
The legislation then follows the same basic procedure in the second chamber. The bill may be approved,
rejected, changed, or ignored. If it is approved with no or only minor changes, the bill is sent back to the
first chamber for agreement.
Conference Committee: If there are significant changes to the bill a committee is formed to reconcile the
House and Senate versions and a report is written of the recommendation for changes. If the committee
can not reach an agreement the legislation dies. If a report is made then both the House and the Senate
must approve the changes.
Final Action: Once a bill has been approved by both chambers it is sent to the President for signature
(becomes law). The President can veto a bill or, if the President does not sign it and Congress is still in
session, after 10 days it automatically becomes law. If Congress is adjourned and the President takes no
action on the bill it dies (pocket veto).
Overriding a Veto: Congress can override a veto by the President. A veto requires a quorum of Congress
present and a two-thirds vote in favor.
