US Congress serve as the legislative branch of federal government and they’re making laws for the entire nation. This is then enforced by governing bodies in every state. Congress has two legislative chambers or bodies and these are the US House of Representatives and the US Senate. Anyone who has been elected to either body has the power to create and propose a new law. All new law proposals are referred to as a “Bill”.
Intricate Process in Lawmaking
Of course, lawmakers don’t just pass a bill in random just because they thought of one. The process is thorough and deliberate to ensure that it’ll serve its purpose as it is expected to. This is the same reason why it takes 7 steps for politicians to make a law.
Following are these steps:
Step #1. A bill may be introduced in either chamber of Congress by the Representative or Senator who sponsored it.
Step #2. When the bill is introduced, it’s assigned to committee whose members will do research, explain and make amendments to the bill.
Step #3. The bill is put before the chamber wherein policymakers vote on it.
Step #4. Assuming the bill passed one body of Congress, it’s presented to other body to go through similar procedure as Step 2.
Step #5. The moment when both bodies voted to accept the bill, they should analyze differences between both versions. After, both chambers will vote on same bill. If it passed, then it’ll be presented to the president.
Step #6. The president will look and review the bill. Only the president has the right of approving or rejecting a bill, otherwise referred to as Veto.
Step #7. If the president decided to veto a bill, the Congress can make votes to override the veto and still, turning the bill into a law. However, the veto can’t be overridden if the president pocket vetoes a bill after the Congress adjourned.
It’s not Just Writing Policies and Guidelines
It’s due to the fact that the entire process is convoluted.
Every single step of lawmaking needs politicians and representatives to be extremely patient.
It is not like you give a gift baskets Canada and you can have the bill you want to be passed and become a law. There’s always a process to follow.