US legislation/process

Introduction

A bill starts in either chamber with no debate and no vote.

Standing committee

A committee amends the bill and votes on whether to release it, and most bills die here.

Debate and vote in the main chamber

The whole chamber debates and votes on the bill after a timetable is set

Conference committee

Members of both chambers agree one compromise version when the House and Senate passed different versions.

Final vote

Both chambers vote again on the agreed version, then it goes to the president.

Presidential action

The president signs the bill into law or vetoes it

Veto override

Congress can overturn a veto with a two thirds majority in both chambers

Last time there was a veto override

Jan 2021 on Trump’s defence bill

Pocket veto

The president ignores a bill and Congress ends its session before the 10 days are up, so the bill dies.

Filibuster

Senators talk for hours to block a vote, and ending it needs a cloture vote of 60 senators.

Good example of a filibuster

The Freedom to Vote Act 2022, died when Republicans filibustered and Democrats could not reach 60 votes.

Closed rule

The House Rules Committee allows only a yes or no vote with no amendments.

Good example of a closed rule

The Inflation Reduction Act 2022, a Democratic climate and clean energy law

Poison pill amendment

An amendment added to make a bill unacceptable to the other party.

Good example of a poison pill

Republicans added Iran sanctions to a veterans bill in 2014, so the bill failed

Gridlock

When opposing parties clash and neither can get their way, so Congress struggles to pass laws.

Good example of gridlock

Only around 2 to 3% pass today compared with 6 to 7% in the 1980s.

Unified government

The president and both chambers are controlled by the same party, so it is easier to pass major laws

Good example of unified government

The One Big Beautiful Bill 2025 made the 2017 tax cuts permanent.

Good example of compromise in hyperpartisan times

Some Democrats voted for The Laken Riley Act in 2025 which would detain illegal migrants accused of theft

Good example of emergency legislation

The CARES Act 2020 - a 2.2 trillion dollar Covid deal that passed the Senate 96 to 0,