The legislative process: how bills become law in Congress

¶ … Congress's primary functions is as lawmaking institution. When a bill is drafted, a copy must first be sent to both the House of Representatives and to the Senate. However, before the bill is even brought to vote, it must be approved by a subcommittee, chosen depending on the nature of the bill. The standing congressional subcommittees each work within a particular area of public policy. Committees consist of members of both political parties, but the majority party holds the most seats on the committee at any given time. House and Senate leaders from both majority and minority political parties decide which committee and subcommittee will hear a particular bill, based on the area of public policy it addresses.

If after hearing and debating the bill, the committee decides it should be brought to vote, a copy is drafted and sent to each chamber of Congress. Congressional committees work with party leaders to bring a proposed bill to the floor. Only around 10% of all bills are brought to vote.

The House of Representatives and the Senate deal with bills differently; the House Rules Committee establishes the guidelines for action on a particular bill. Unlike the House, the Senate permits filibusters and riders to bills. However, ultimately the final draft of a bill must be identical for both chambers of Congress. If there is considerable dispute over the nature or wording of a particular bill, or if a rider was attached in the Senate, a conference committee is called upon to resolve the differences.