Question

Designate the correct order of the steps below in the process of how a bill becomes a law, assigning #1 to the step that occurs FIRST in the process and #8 to the step that occurs LAST.

Answer 1

The process by which a bill becomes a law involves eight main steps, from drafting to potential presidential approval or veto. It is designed to be thorough, allowing for comprehensive vetting and ensuring broad satisfaction with the bill's provisions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Process of How a Bill Becomes a Law

The process of transforming a bill into a law involves several complicated steps, ensuring that various parties are satisfied with its provisions. The correct order of the steps in the classic legislative process is as follows:

1. Legislation is drafted by a member of Congress or another party, such as a think tank or the president, but must be introduced by a member of Congress.
2. The bill is referred to a committee where written comments from relevant agencies are requested, and hearings are held to gather additional information.
3. In committee, the bill is amended and perfected before being sent back to the full Senate or House along with a report explaining the measure.
4. The bill goes through the markup stage in committee or subcommittee where it is further amended and voted on.
5. If approved in committee, the bill moves to the House or Senate floor, following rules established by the respective Rules Committee.
6. The bill is debated, possibly amended further, and then voted on in the chamber of origin; a simple majority is required for it to pass.
7. The bill is sent to the other chamber of Congress where the process is repeated.
8. If both chambers pass identical versions of the bill, it goes to the president for signature. If the president signs the bill, it becomes law. If the president vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers. Alternatively, if the president does not act, the bill may become law without a signature after ten days, unless a pocket veto is employed due to adjournment.

While this is the traditional process, modern legislation often follows unorthodox routes, such as the use of omnibus bills, especially during budgetary decisions.

The complete question is: Designate the correct order of the steps below in the process of how a bill becomes a law, assigning #1 to the step that occurs FIRST in the process and #8 to the step that occurs LAST. is: