Legislation may begin in either the House or Senate.

Similar proposals are often introduced in both chambers.

Measure introduced in House.

Measure introduced in Senate.

Measure referred to committee, which holds hearings and reports on the measure to the House

OR

For important measures, special rule reported by the Rules Committee and adopted by the House..

Measure referred to committee, which holds hearings and reports on the measure to the Senate.

Leadership schedules measure for floor consideration.

Leadership schedules measure for floor consideration.

House debates and can amend measure

Senate debates and can amend measure

House passes measure

Senate passes measure

Measures must pass both the House and Senate in identical form before being presented to the President

One chamber agrees to the other chamber's version

OR

Each chamber appoints members to a conference committee, which reconciles differences and agrees to a conference report

OR

House and Senate exchange bill and reach agreement

House approves conference report

Senate approves conference report

Legislation presented to the President

President signs measure

OR

If President does not sign measure within 10 days

OR

President vetoes measure

Measure becomes law

If Congress is in session, measure becomes law

If Congress is not in session, measure does not become law. This is called “pocket veto.”

Measure does not become law unless both chambers override veto by 2/3 majority.