HOME

 

Topics and Concepts in the Constitution

Topics listed by article and amendment

Full list of topics

General resources

Full text of the Constitution

Resource(s) on Law making procedure


 

Topic: Law making procedure
Annotation: A bill is a formal idea for a law that has been introduced into the Congress. In section7 of Article 1, the Constitution describes a specific process for making a bill into a law.

 

Citation and Text from the Constitution:

Article 1, Section 7, Clause 2
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

 

Article 1, Section 7, Clause 3
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

 

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2002  John K. Lee
This site is maintained and operated by John K. Lee jklee@gsu.edu
Last Modified: 02/03/02

This project was completed with a generous grant from the Robert H. Michel Civic Education Grants offered through the Dirksen Congressional Center

Georgia State University Social Studies