How Federal Legislation Becomes Law
A bill is a draft of a proposed law presented for approval to a legislative body. In federal law,
that legislative body is the United States Congress. Congress consists of two chambers: the
House of Representatives (435 voting members and four non-voting delegates) and the
Senate (100 members).
Bill is introduced to a chamber of Congress
While bills are often developed in collaboration with constituents and organizations, only a
member of Congress or a group of members can introduce the bill for consideration by
Congress.
A representative or senator who introduces a bill is known as that billàsponsor, while a group
of members who support or worked on the bill are known as co-sponsors.
Committee reviews bill
Once introduced to Congress, bills are subject to intense review by committee (a team of legal
and technical experts and other aides who advise legislators on various issues). This review
may include further study, debate and expert testimony during public hearings.
The committee reviews the bill line by line and makes necessary changes during a process
known as Mark Up.
Committee reports bill to Congress
After Mark Up, the committee reviews the modified bill and votes on whether to submit it to
Congress or hold it for further review.
If the committee votes to move it on to Congress, the bill is said to have been reported. An
account of the bill, including a detailed description, potential budgetary consequences,
transcripts of public hearings and notes and recommendations made by committees, is written
and published.
Chamber of Congress debates and votes on bill
During the billàscheduled floor action, debate for and against the bill proceeds before the
entire chamber. Once the debate ends, the chamber votes for or against the bill. If the bill is
passed by the first chamber of Congress, it will continue to the second chamber where it will
undergo pretty much the same process from the point of introduction.
Conference committee reconciles bills
Often the bills passed in each chamber have undergone different revisions. A conference
committee is then appointed to work out the differences in the two versions of the bill.
While the bill is in conference, the conferees from the two chambers can rewrite any or all of
the provisions of the bill. When they reach a final agreement, a conference report is sent back
to each house to be approved.
Enrolled bill passed to president
Once both chambers of Congress have approved the reconciled bill, it is enrolled and sent to
the President of the United States. From there, the President can either sign the bill into law,
veto the bill or leave the bill unsigned for a certain number of days (which, depending on
whether Congress is in session, will either automatically pass or deny the bill.)
What we can do
At several stages in this lengthy and complex process, contact with senators, representatives
and committee staff members is critical. For example, after a nutrition and health policy bill is
introduced to Congress, it can die in committee (that is, never be acknowledged or followed
through) during the committee review stages.
Dietetics professionals can help prevent this by pointing committee members
toward important sources of information and expert witnesses. Another example
of strategic contact is calling or writing to elected officials immediately before
Congress votes on a bill.
To find out who your California State legislators are, go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/
yourleg.html. Enter your zip code and it will tell you who are your Senators and Assembly
members. If you are writing about a California Assembly Bill (AB) send it to your Assembly
member, about a California Senate Bill (SB), send to your Senator.

Purchase answer to see full
attachment