POSC 424 The Legislative Process (DC Program): Home

On the House Floor Now  | 

On the Senate Floor Now  | 

Passed Congress, Sent to President  | 

Congressional Record Latest Daily Digest  | 

Schedules, Calendars

For further information, see THOMAS, the legislative service of the Library of Congress.

• A bill is introduced in the House or the Senate.
• The bill is referred to a committee and a subcommittee.
• The committee and/or the subcommittee hold hearings on the bill.
• The committee prepares a committee report and reports the bill to the full House or the Senate.
• The bill is debated on the floor of the House or the Senate.
• A vote is taken and the bill is passed or defeated.
• The same procedure is carried out in the other house.
• When both houses have passed related bills, the bills are referred to a conference committee where members agree to a compromised version.
• The compromise bill is sent to each house with a conference committee report. A vote is taken and the bill is passed or defeated.
• If the bill passes both houses, it is sent to the President.

Bills, Resolutions

Committee Reports

Debates (Congressional Record)

Hearings (Selected)