10 steps to how a bill becomes a law

first

setting an agenda

second

bill is introduced by senator/member of congress

third

assignment to committee

fourth

committee votes and reports: favorable and unfavorable (pass a bill), kill the bill (pigeon hole)

fifth

scheduling debate

sixth

• debate and amendment (make changes to bill), rider (changes to bill that has nothing to do w/ bill)

  • in house debate debate determined by rules

seventh

in senate: filibuster and cloture

eight

vote roll call vote (majority wins)

ninth

conference (iron out differences) committee whenever there are different versions of the bill that pass through house and senate

last

• Goes to the President and any of the following happen:

  • Sign a bill in law

  • veto

  • pocket veto

  • veto can be overridden by 2/3 vote in both chambers (House & Senate)

filibuster

talk a bill to death

cloture

60 senators to override a filibuster