How a Bill Becomes a Law Quiz

What is a bill?

A proposed law that has not yet completed the lawmaking process.

Who can formally introduce a bill in Congress?

A member of Congress: a Representative in the House or a Senator in the Senate. Citizens, interest groups, and the President can suggest ideas, but a member of Congress must introduce the bill.

Where must revenue (tax) bills originate, and what is the exception?

Revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives. The Senate can still propose or agree to amendments.

What is the first step after a bill is introduced?

The bill is referred to a committee that specializes in its subject.

What is the purpose of a congressional committee?

To examine bills, gather information, consider changes, and decide whether to advance legislation.

What are a hearing and a markup?

A hearing gathers information or testimony from experts, officials, or the public. A markup is when committee members review and revise a bill's wording.

How can a bill die in committee?

The committee can reject it or take no action on it. A bill can therefore die without ever receiving a vote from the full House or Senate.

What happens when a bill reaches the floor of a chamber?

The full House or Senate considers the bill through debate and voting, following that chamber's rules.

What does the House Rules Committee do?

It establishes terms for House floor debate, including time limits and whether amendments are allowed under the rule.

What is the difference between an open rule and a closed rule?

An open rule allows floor amendments under the rule; a closed rule generally prohibits floor amendments to the bill.

What is an amendment?

A proposed change to a bill. Amendments can change the bill's wording or provisions and may affect whether members support it.

What is a filibuster, and how can the Senate end debate?

A filibuster is a Senate tactic used to delay or block action through extended debate. Cloture can end debate; for most legislation, it usually requires 60 of 100 senators when all seats are filled.

What vote is generally needed to pass ordinary legislation in a chamber?

A majority vote, assuming a quorum is present and applicable rules are met. The exact number depends on how many members are voting.

What must happen when a bill reaches the second chamber of Congress?

The second chamber considers the bill through its own procedures. Both the House and Senate must approve the exact same version before it goes to the President.

What is a conference committee?

A group of House and Senate members that may work out differences between their chambers' versions of a bill and produce a compromise version.

What happens after a conference committee produces a compromise bill?

Both the House and Senate must approve the compromise version. If either chamber rejects it, the bill cannot advance in that version.

What are the President's three main options when a bill reaches the White House?

The President can sign it, veto it, or take no action. The result of taking no action depends on what happens during the constitutional 10-day period, excluding Sundays.

What happens when the President signs a bill?

The bill becomes law.

What is a presidential veto?

The President's formal rejection of a bill. Congress may try to override a regular veto.

How can Congress override a regular presidential veto?

Both the House and Senate must vote again and each must reach a two-thirds majority of members voting, with a quorum present. The bill then becomes law despite the veto.

What is the difference between a majority vote and a two-thirds vote?

A majority is more than half; two-thirds is a larger threshold. Ordinary legislation generally requires a majority, while overriding a regular presidential veto requires two-thirds in both chambers.

What happens if the President takes no action and Congress remains in session for the full constitutional period?

The bill becomes law without the President's signature after 10 days, excluding Sundays, provided the President has not returned it.

What is a pocket veto?

When the President does not sign a bill and Congress adjourns in a way that prevents its return within the constitutional period, the bill does not become law. A pocket veto cannot be overridden.

How is a pocket veto different from a regular veto?

A regular veto can be overridden by two-thirds votes in both chambers. A pocket veto cannot be overridden because the bill does not become law through that process.

What are veto gates, and why do many bills fail?

Veto gates are points where a bill can be blocked, such as committees, chamber votes, Senate procedures, disagreements between chambers, or a presidential veto. There are many more ways for a bill to fail than to pass.

What does bicameral mean, and how does it apply to Congress?

Bicameral means having two chambers. Congress is bicameral because it consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

How does the lawmaking process demonstrate checks and balances?

The President can veto bills passed by Congress, while Congress can override a regular veto with two-thirds votes in both chambers. The system distributes power and prevents one part of government from controlling the entire process.

What are the three branches of the federal government, and what are their main roles?

Legislative: Congress makes laws. Executive: the President and executive branch enforce laws. Judicial: federal courts interpret laws and can review laws' constitutionality in appropriate cases.

What are the membership and term differences between the House and Senate?

The House has 435 voting Representatives serving two-year terms. The Senate has 100 senators, two per state, serving six-year terms.

Can the Supreme Court introduce or pass a bill, and can every bill receive a floor vote?

No. Members of Congress introduce bills; the Supreme Court interprets laws rather than passing them. Also, not every bill receives a floor vote because it can die earlier in the process.