GED^® Social Studies Practice Test

For a bill to become law, the bill must first be introduced by a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives. The bill can be related to a wide range of issues, including policies or budget considerations. The bill is then assigned a code that depends on where it originated. After the bill is assigned a code, it is referred to the relevant focused committee in that house of Congress based on the type of issue it involves. The focused committee analyzes the bill and gathers input and testimony from experts on the topic. The committee can amend, rewrite, or reject the bill before it gets any further. If a majority of the committee members approve of the bill, it moves to the full chamber.

Once the bill is introduced to the full chamber, it is discussed and debated. Amendments can be proposed. Once the debate has ended, the chamber votes on the bill. If the majority of the chamber is in favor, the bill will advance. When a bill is approved by either the Senate or House of Representatives, it then goes to the other house for debate and approval. If either house fails to pass the bill, it will die. If the bill is passed by both houses of Congress, it goes forward to the final phase, in which the president acts on the bill.

Once the bill reaches the president, it becomes law either if he immediately signs it or if he lets it sit 10 days without signing it. If Congress adjourns before 10 days have passed, and the president has not signed the bill yet, it will not become law. This cannot be overridden. The president also has the option of vetoing the bill. If this happens, the bill will be sent back to Congress. Congress can either revise the bill and try to get it passed again, or they can override the president’s veto with two-thirds of their votes in favor of the bill in both houses.