Let's follow a bill on its path. Every new law starts out as an idea. A bill is a plan for a new law. It can also be a change to an old law.

Congress is the part of the government that makes laws. It has two parts. They are the House of Representatives and the Senate. 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 studies 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.

Lawmakers vote on a bill. A bill has to pass both the House and the Senate. Only then can the president sign it. As of November 2026, the House has 435 seats. As of November 2026, the Senate has 100 members. Each state has two senators.

The president can sign a bill into law. The president can also say no to a bill. That is called a veto. If the president vetoes a bill, Congress can sometimes vote to override the veto and make it a law.

People can ask their lawmakers to start a new law. Cities and towns can make laws too. Local laws are often called ordinances. A city council or a county commission can pass them.

Words to know

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