1 Have you ever had an idea that you thought should become a law? Ideas for laws come in many ways. Members of Congress present ideas for new laws. Ordinary citizens may call their senator or representative with an idea. Special interest groups send delegates to talk to our nation's leaders. Even the president has ideas for laws.
2 In order for an idea to begin the process of becoming a law, a member of Congress must sponsor it. Once this happens, the idea becomes a bill. Bills can start their journey in either part of Congress. Let's follow a bill that begins in the House of Representatives.
3 Once a bill is written, it is sent to the clerk of the House. Here, it is given a special number beginning with the letters H.R. (House of Representatives). Then, the bill is printed and sent to all members of the House of Representatives. At this point, the Speaker of the House sends the bill to a committee. The committee studies the bill to decide if it is a good idea or not. They often hold hearings to listen to why a bill should be a law. After the hearings, they may make changes to a bill, send it on for a vote, or table it. (Tabling it means it will not be sent for a vote.)
