H.R.3012
Latest Title: Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act
Sponsor: Rep Chaffetz, Jason [UT-3] (introduced 9/22/2011)
Related Bills: S.1857
Latest Major Action: 11/18/2011 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No.
193.
House Reports: 112-292
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Cosponsors (11)
Rep Flake, Jeff [AZ-6] - 11/18/2011
Rep Goodlatte, Bob [VA-6] - 11/4/2011
Rep Griffin, Tim [AR-2] - 10/11/2011
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 11/4/2011
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 10/31/2011
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] - 11/15/2011
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 10/25/2011
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 11/18/2011
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 11/18/2011
Rep Smith, Lamar [TX-21] - 9/22/2011
Rep Thompson, Glenn [PA-5] - 11/16/2011
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How a Bill Becomes Law?
There are potentially 10 steps a bill can go through before becoming a law.
Below is a description of each step in the process, using the Genetic
Information Non-Discrimination Act of 2003 (S. 1053), as an example.
Step 1: A Bill Is Born
Anyone may draft a bill; however, only members of Congress can introduce
legislation, and, by doing so, become the sponsor(s). The president, a
member of the cabinet or the head of a federal agency can also propose
legislation, although a member of Congress must introduce it.
Step 2: Committee Action
As soon as a bill is introduced, it is referred to a committee. At this
point the bill is examined carefully and its chances for passage are first
determined. If the committee does not act on a bill, the bill is effectively
"dead."
Step 3: Subcommittee Review
Often, bills are referred to a subcommittee for study and hearings. Hearings
provide the opportunity to put on the record the views of the executive
branch, experts, other public officials and supporters, and opponents of the
legislation.
Step 4: Mark up
When the hearings are completed, the subcommittee may meet to "mark up" the
bill; that is, make changes and amendments prior to recommending the bill to
the full committee. If a subcommittee votes not to report legislation to
the full committee, the bill dies. If the committee votes for the bill, it
is sent to the floor.
Step 5: Committee Action to Report a Bill
After receiving a subcommittee's report on a bill the full committee votes
on its recommendation to the House or Senate. This procedure is called "
ordering a bill reported."
---------we are here now-------there's a long way to go-----------
Step 6: Voting
After the debate and the approval of any amendments, the bill is passed or
defeated by the members voting.
Step 7: Referral to Other Chamber
When the House or Senate passes a bill, it is referred to the other chamber,
where it usually follows the same route through committee and floor action.
This chamber may approve the bill as received, reject it, ignore it, or
change it.
Step 8: Conference Committee Action
When the actions of the other chamber significantly alter the bill, a
conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences between the
House and Senate versions. If the conferees are unable to reach agreement,
the legislation dies. If agreement is reached, a conference report is
prepared describing the committee members' recommendations for changes. Both
the House and Senate must approve the conference report.
Step 9: Final Action
After both the House and Senate have approved a bill in identical form, it
is sent to the president. If the president approves of the legislation, he
signs it and it becomes law. Or, if the president takes no action for ten
days, while Congress is in session, it automatically becomes law. If the
president opposes the bill he can veto it; or if he takes no action after
the Congress has adjourned its second session, it is a "pocket veto" and the
legislation dies.
Step 10: Overriding a Veto
If the president vetoes a bill, Congress may attempt to "override the veto."
If both the Senate and the House pass the bill by a two-thirds majority,
the president's veto is overruled and the bill becomes a law.
