How does a law get made? Let's start with the government. The U.S. government has three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. The president leads the executive branch, which enforces the laws. The Supreme Court is part of the judicial branch. You may have heard that only the president makes laws. In fact, Congress is the part of the national government that makes laws.

Next, look at Congress. Remember, Congress makes laws. Congress has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms. Each state has two senators. As of November 2026, the House of Representatives has 435 seats. As of November 2026, the Senate has 100 members.

Here is a question: where does a new law come from? Every new law starts out as an idea. You may have heard that only members of Congress can have ideas for laws. In fact, people can ask their lawmakers to start a new law. A bill is a plan for a new law, or a change to an old law.

Here is a question: what happens to a bill next? A bill can be started by a member of the House or Senate. After a bill is introduced, it goes to a committee of lawmakers. The committee members study the bill and can change it. When the House passes a bill, it goes to the Senate. The Senate studies and votes on it too.

You may have heard that when the House votes yes on a bill, it is a law. In fact, a bill has to pass both the House and the Senate before the president can sign it. Lawmakers vote on a bill. If the Senate changes a bill, the House has to look at the changes. The two sides must work out their differences.

The president can sign a bill into law. The president can also say no to a bill. That is called a veto. You may have heard that a vetoed bill is dead for good. In fact, if the president vetoes a bill, Congress can sometimes vote to override the veto and make it a law.

So far, you have seen how Congress makes a law. Here is a question: is Congress the only place that makes laws? You may have heard that only the national government makes laws. In fact, cities and towns can make laws too. Local laws are often called ordinances, and a city council or county commission can pass them.

Here is a question: how do the branches work together? Look back at the three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. The president leads the executive branch. The Supreme Court is part of the judicial branch. The system of checks and balances lets each branch respond to the actions of the others.

Words to know

• branches: main parts
• committee: small group
• veto: a no
• override: cancel a veto
• ordinances: local laws

The short version

A bill is a plan for a new law, or a change to an old law. Congress is the part of the national government that makes laws. A bill has to pass both the House and the Senate before the president can sign it into law. The president can also say no, which is called a veto.

Quick facts

• Congress has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• As of November 2026, the House of Representatives has 435 seats and the Senate has 100 members.
• A bill has to pass both the House and the Senate before the president can sign it.
• If the president vetoes a bill, Congress can sometimes vote to override the veto and make it a law.
• Local laws are often called ordinances, and a city council or county commission can pass them.