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How a bill becomes a law in Congress

A federal bill must clear committee review, win approval from both chambers in the same form, and complete the presidential stage before it can become law.

Daniel Okafor

By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor

4 min read

In the U.S. federal system, a bill becomes law only after the House and Senate approve the same text and the measure completes the presidential stage. Along the way, it can be changed, set aside in committee, rejected on the floor, or blocked by a veto.

This guide covers Congress, the federal lawmaking branch. State legislatures use their own procedures, according to USAGov and the University of Washington Law Library.

How the federal process works

  1. A member of Congress introduces a bill. USAGov defines a bill as a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. Ideas may come from lawmakers, campaign proposals, or constituents and citizen groups, but ANCOR notes that only a member of Congress can formally introduce legislation. House bills carry the H.R. designation; Senate bills use S., according to the University of Washington Law Library.
  2. The bill is referred to committee. USAGov says the committee researches, discusses, and may change the bill. The University of Washington Law Library says committees can study a bill, amend it and return it to the chamber, or table it, effectively ending it for that session. Committees may also hold hearings and receive testimony from experts, officials, supporters, and opponents.
  3. The originating chamber considers the bill. If a committee sends a bill forward, the full House or Senate can debate, amend, and vote on it. The text may change during committee and floor consideration, the University of Washington Law Library says.
  4. The other chamber considers it separately. A bill that passes one chamber goes to the other chamber for a similar process of committee review, discussion, possible changes, and a vote, according to USAGov. Passage in one chamber alone does not send a bill to the president.
  5. The House and Senate agree on identical text. USAGov says both chambers must accept the same version. One chamber may agree to the other chamber's changes; if the chambers have different versions, a conference committee may seek a compromise. Both chambers must approve a conference report, according to ANCOR.
  6. The president considers the bill. Once Congress has approved identical text, it presents the bill to the president. The president may sign it into law or veto it, USAGov says. The University of Washington Law Library also describes circumstances in which a bill can become law without a signature after 10 days while Congress is in session; if Congress has adjourned, unsigned legislation can be subject to a pocket veto.
  7. Congress can attempt a veto override. A vetoed bill can become law if two-thirds of the House and two-thirds of the Senate vote to override the veto, according to the University of Washington Law Library. A pocket veto cannot be overridden, USAGov says.

Key checkpoints to watch

  • In committee: The bill is under review and may be amended, reported to the chamber, or left without action.
  • Passed one chamber: The bill still must complete consideration in the other chamber.
  • Different House and Senate versions: The chambers still need to agree on one text, through concurrence or a conference process.
  • Presented to the president: Congress has approved identical text, and the measure has reached the presidential stage.
  • Vetoed: The bill requires a two-thirds override vote in each chamber to become law.

Federal process versus state procedures

The broad route through a legislature and an executive decision does not make state rules interchangeable with congressional rules. The University of Washington Law Library says state legislative processes differ from the federal process.

Washington State, for example, lists rules-committee review, second and third readings, and its own deadlines for gubernatorial action. Those are Washington procedures, not general rules for Congress, according to the Washington State Legislature.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if the House and Senate pass different versions of a bill?

They must agree on the same text before the bill can go to the president. One chamber may accept the other's changes, or a conference committee may propose a compromise that both chambers must approve, according to USAGov, the University of Washington Law Library, and ANCOR.

Can a bill become law without the president's signature?

The University of Washington Law Library says a bill can become law if the president takes no action for 10 days while Congress is in session. USAGov says an unsigned bill can instead face a pocket veto when Congress is no longer in session.

Sources