As SchoolHouse Rocks plays in my mind...

We've all been taught about the process of how a bill becomes a law.  High school classes give that subject at least two or three days to learn.  So why is it, after so many times of learning it, I can never remember it?  I always have to look it up.  If only I had kept my notebook from my 12th grade government class.  This would have been so much easier.

However, just because those resources (meaning my notebook and my high school) aren't available doesn't mean there aren't any other options to go to.  So today, I will try to highlight the main points, and if for some chance, it isn't easily understood, then I guess I'll have to try again.

First off, an idea has to form (obvious I know) and from there text gets written up.  Someone who is a Member of Congress must introduce the bill by sponsoring it.  A bill has to be introduced while the House of Representatives is in session.  It is placed in a box called the hopper, which is located on the desk of the presiding officer.  Next, a bill clerk gives it a number.

After it is given a number, it is read aloud and then given to a committee.  There, they debate on it and possibly try to amend it.  They can table (or dismiss) any bill they think is unnecessary. If it is given a thumbs up, it goes onward to either a subcommittee (where pretty much the same thing happens) or to the floor of the House.  

It gets reported (which means a report of the provisions becomes attached to the bill) and then gets put on a calendar before it finally makes it way to the floor.  There, it is voted on.

If it gets passed in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, it gets sent to the President.  He can take no action, and if the Congress is in session, it automatically becomes a law after 10 days.  If, however, the Congress adjourns and the President doesn't take any action, the law will become vetoed.  It can also die if the President decides it is unlawful or unnecessary.  If he does sign the bill, it becomes a law.  If 2/3 of Congress decides that a vetoed bill is necessary, they can override the decision.  

Those right there are the basic rules to making a bill into a federal law.  Now I can be rest assured that that stupid song will forever be ringing in my head (or at least for a couple of hours).  

"I'm just a bill, yes I'm only a bill, sitting here on Capitol Hill..."