{
 "source": "https://peabody.kids/flashcards/how-a-bill-becomes-a-law",
 "id": "how-a-bill-becomes-a-law",
 "title": "How a Bill Becomes a Law",
 "category": "social-studies",
 "subject": "Civics",
 "levels": [
  "3-5",
  "6-8"
 ],
 "description": "The steps from an idea to a federal law, in order, with the key words.",
 "tags": [
  "bill",
  "law",
  "congress",
  "legislation"
 ],
 "frontLabel": "Step or term",
 "backLabel": "What happens",
 "cards": [
  [
   "Step 1: An idea",
   "A citizen, group or lawmaker has an idea for a law"
  ],
  [
   "Step 2: Sponsor",
   "A member of Congress agrees to introduce the bill"
  ],
  [
   "Step 3: Introduction",
   "The bill is introduced in the House or the Senate and given a number"
  ],
  [
   "Step 4: Committee",
   "A small group of members studies the bill"
  ],
  [
   "Step 5: Hearings",
   "Committees listen to experts and the public"
  ],
  [
   "Step 6: Markup",
   "The committee debates and may change the bill"
  ],
  [
   "Step 7: Committee vote",
   "If the committee approves, the bill goes to the full chamber"
  ],
  [
   "Step 8: Floor debate",
   "All members of that chamber discuss and may amend the bill"
  ],
  [
   "Step 9: Vote",
   "A majority must vote yes for the bill to pass that chamber"
  ],
  [
   "Step 10: Other chamber",
   "The bill goes through the same process in the other chamber"
  ],
  [
   "Step 11: Conference committee",
   "If versions differ, members from both chambers work out one version"
  ],
  [
   "Step 12: Final vote",
   "Both chambers must pass the same version"
  ],
  [
   "Step 13: President",
   "The bill goes to the president"
  ],
  [
   "President signs",
   "The bill becomes law"
  ],
  [
   "President vetoes",
   "The bill is rejected and sent back to Congress"
  ],
  [
   "Veto override",
   "Two-thirds of both houses can pass it anyway"
  ],
  [
   "Pocket veto",
   "If Congress adjourns and the president does not sign within ten days, the bill dies"
  ],
  [
   "No action by president",
   "After ten days (not counting Sundays) it becomes law if Congress is in session"
  ],
  [
   "Bill",
   "A proposed law"
  ],
  [
   "Sponsor",
   "The lawmaker who introduces a bill"
  ],
  [
   "Cosponsor",
   "A lawmaker who joins in supporting a bill"
  ],
  [
   "Act",
   "A bill that has passed both houses"
  ],
  [
   "Statute",
   "A law passed by a legislature"
  ],
  [
   "Committee",
   "A smaller group of lawmakers who study certain subjects"
  ],
  [
   "Subcommittee",
   "A smaller group within a committee"
  ],
  [
   "Hearing",
   "A meeting where experts and citizens give opinions on a bill"
  ],
  [
   "Amendment (to a bill)",
   "A change proposed to the text of a bill"
  ],
  [
   "Floor",
   "The main meeting space where all members debate and vote"
  ],
  [
   "Majority",
   "More than half of the votes"
  ],
  [
   "Quorum",
   "Number of members needed to hold a vote"
  ],
  [
   "Roll call vote",
   "A vote where each member's answer is recorded"
  ],
  [
   "Voice vote",
   "Members shout yes or no and the presiding officer decides"
  ],
  [
   "Filibuster",
   "Long speeches used to delay a Senate vote"
  ],
  [
   "Cloture",
   "A Senate vote to end debate; needs three-fifths (60) of senators"
  ],
  [
   "Conference committee",
   "House and Senate members who combine different versions of a bill"
  ],
  [
   "Revenue bills",
   "Bills for raising money must begin in the House"
  ],
  [
   "Who can introduce a bill?",
   "Only members of Congress, though anyone can suggest an idea"
  ],
  [
   "Where do bills start?",
   "In either the House or Senate, except revenue bills"
  ],
  [
   "Rider",
   "An unrelated provision added to a bill"
  ],
  [
   "Omnibus bill",
   "A very large bill that covers many topics"
  ],
  [
   "Appropriations",
   "Bills that provide money for government programs"
  ],
  [
   "Resolution",
   "A statement of Congress's opinion that does not become law"
  ],
  [
   "Joint resolution",
   "Passed by both houses and signed by the president; has the force of law"
  ],
  [
   "Public law",
   "A law that applies to everyone"
  ],
  [
   "Private law",
   "A law that applies to a specific person or group"
  ],
  [
   "Federal Register",
   "Daily publication of rules and notices from federal agencies"
  ],
  [
   "Regulations",
   "Detailed rules made by agencies to carry out laws"
  ],
  [
   "Constituent",
   "A voter represented by a lawmaker; they can contact their representatives"
  ],
  [
   "How you can help",
   "Contact lawmakers, vote, testify at hearings, join groups or write letters"
  ],
  [
   "Congress.gov",
   "Official website to follow bills"
  ],
  [
   "Law enforcement",
   "Executive branch carries out the laws"
  ],
  [
   "Courts and laws",
   "Courts interpret laws and can strike them down if unconstitutional"
  ],
  [
   "State laws",
   "State legislatures follow similar steps, with a governor signing instead of the president"
  ],
  [
   "Local laws (ordinances)",
   "Passed by city or county councils"
  ],
  [
   "Three readings",
   "Many legislatures read a bill several times before passing it"
  ],
  [
   "Enacted",
   "Officially made into law"
  ],
  [
   "Supermajority",
   "A vote higher than a simple majority, like two-thirds"
  ],
  [
   "Simple majority",
   "Half plus one of those voting"
  ],
  [
   "Tie vote in the Senate",
   "The vice president casts the deciding vote"
  ],
  [
   "Bill number",
   "H.R. means a House bill; S. means a Senate bill"
  ]
 ]
}