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Understanding Congress

How a Bill Becomes Law

From an idea to the President, and the gates a bill must clear.

2 min read

A bill clears a series of gates to become law, and most never make it all the way. Lex will walk you through the journey.

How a bill becomes law A bill is introduced, survives committee and the floor while most bills fall away, and a few are signed into law, with Lex. New bill A member introduces it Committee Floor vote Committee, then the floor Law Signed into law
Most bills never make it. A few clear every gate.

The journey, step by step

  1. 1

    Introduction

    A member introduces the bill in their chamber.

  2. 2

    Committee

    A committee revises it and decides whether it advances. Most bills stop here.

  3. 3

    Floor vote

    The full chamber debates and votes.

  4. 4

    The other chamber

    The same gauntlet runs again. A bill must pass both.

  5. 5

    Reconcile

    The two chambers settle on one identical text.

  6. 6

    The President

    A signature makes it law. A veto can be overridden by two-thirds of both chambers.

In your league

A bill's journeyA sponsored bill earns rising points as it clears committee, passes a chamber, and is signed into law.Out of committee+15Passes chamber+25Signed into law+50
The sponsor scores more at each gate the bill clears.

The sponsor earns points at every gate a bill clears, and the biggest reward is saved for the rarest outcome: a bill signed into law.