Free civics simulator

Free How a Bill Becomes a Law Simulator

A bill becomes a law when the House and the Senate pass the exact same text and the President signs it, lets 10 days pass while Congress is in session, or is overridden by two-thirds of both chambers. This simulator walks a bill through every step, with the real vote counts and the checks each branch holds.

Start the SimulatorTake the Quiz

Live flowchart

Your bill's path

  1. 1. IntroductionLegislative · now
  2. 2. House committeeLegislative · not reached
  3. 3. House floor voteLegislative · not reached
  4. 4. Senate committeeLegislative · not reached
  5. 5. Senate floor voteLegislative · not reached
  6. 6. Resolve differencesLegislative · not reached
  7. 7. PresidentExecutive · not reached
  8. 8. Veto overrideLegislative · not reached
  9. 9. Public law

Step 1 of 8: Introduction

Only a member of Congress can introduce a bill. Where does it start?

Who decides: A member of CongressBranch: Legislative

Check what you learned

How a bill becomes a law quiz

  1. 1. Who can introduce a bill in Congress?
  2. 2. Where must bills that raise revenue (taxes) start?
  3. 3. Where do most bills die?
  4. 4. How many votes pass a bill in the House when all 435 members vote?
  5. 5. How many senators must vote for cloture to end a filibuster?
  6. 6. Who breaks a 50-50 tie in the Senate?
  7. 7. Before going to the President, the House and Senate versions must be...
  8. 8. How many days does the President have to act on a bill?
  9. 9. What vote does Congress need to override a veto?
  10. 10. What is a pocket veto?

How it works

How to use the simulator

  1. 01

    Choose whether the bill starts in the House or the Senate.

  2. 02

    At each stage, pick what happens: committee action, a floor vote, a filibuster, or an amended version.

  3. 03

    Read why the bill advanced or died, and which branch held the power at that step.

  4. 04

    Watch the flowchart track your bill's path, including the steps it skipped.

  5. 05

    Reach the President and choose to sign, veto, wait 10 days, or pocket veto, then try an override.

  6. 06

    Copy your bill's path, start over to try another route, then take the 10-question quiz or print the flowchart.

The steps of how a bill becomes a law

  1. 1. Introduction

    A member of Congress introduces the bill in the House (H.R.) or the Senate (S.). Revenue bills must start in the House.

  2. 2. Committee

    The bill is referred to a committee, which can hold hearings, amend it in markup, and report it, or let it die. Most bills die here.

  3. 3. Floor vote

    The full chamber debates and votes. The House needs a majority of members voting (218 of 435). The Senate usually needs 60 votes to end a filibuster, then a majority (51 of 100).

  4. 4. Other chamber

    The bill goes through committee and a floor vote in the other chamber, which can pass it, change it, or reject it.

  5. 5. Resolve differences

    If the versions differ, a conference committee or an exchange of amendments produces one text. Both chambers must pass identical wording.

  6. 6. President

    The President has 10 days (Sundays excepted) to sign or veto. Unsigned bills become law if Congress is in session, or die by pocket veto if Congress has adjourned.

  7. 7. Veto override

    Congress can override a veto with two-thirds of each chamber (290 House, 67 Senate if all vote).

  8. 8. Law

    The bill becomes a public law. Courts can still review it later, the judicial branch's check on Congress and the President.

Three branches of government and checks and balances

  • Legislative branch (Congress)

    Powers: Writes and passes bills, overrides vetoes with two-thirds, controls spending, confirms judges (Senate).

    Checked by: Checked by the President's veto and by courts striking down unconstitutional laws.

  • Executive branch (President)

    Powers: Signs or vetoes bills, carries out laws, nominates judges, can recommend legislation.

    Checked by: Checked by veto overrides, Senate confirmation, impeachment, and judicial review.

  • Judicial branch (Courts)

    Powers: Interprets laws and can rule a law unconstitutional (judicial review, Marbury v. Madison, 1803).

    Checked by: Checked by Senate confirmation of judges, impeachment, and constitutional amendments.

The rules come from Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution: bills for raising revenue start in the House, both chambers must pass a bill, the President has 10 days (Sundays excepted) to sign or return it, and two-thirds of each chamber can override a veto. The filibuster and the 60-vote cloture rule are Senate rules, not part of the Constitution (U.S. Senate).

Vote counts in this tool assume every seat is filled and every member votes. The actual rule is a majority, or two-thirds, of members present and voting, so the exact number can be lower. For the full process, see Congress.gov and the House of Representatives; the Senate keeps a count of every veto and override.

When a viral post claims a law "passed" or a President "signed" something, check which step it actually reached. Passing one chamber is not becoming law. Run the claim through the Fact Checker.

How a bill becomes a law FAQ

What are the steps of how a bill becomes a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces the bill in the House (H.R.) or the Senate (S.). Revenue bills must start in the House. 2. Committee: The bill is referred to a committee, which can hold hearings, amend it in markup, and report it, or let it die. Most bills die here. 3. Floor vote: The full chamber debates and votes. The House needs a majority of members voting (218 of 435). The Senate usually needs 60 votes to end a filibuster, then a majority (51 of 100). 4. Other chamber: The bill goes through committee and a floor vote in the other chamber, which can pass it, change it, or reject it. 5. Resolve differences: If the versions differ, a conference committee or an exchange of amendments produces one text. Both chambers must pass identical wording. 6. President: The President has 10 days (Sundays excepted) to sign or veto. Unsigned bills become law if Congress is in session, or die by pocket veto if Congress has adjourned. 7. Veto override: Congress can override a veto with two-thirds of each chamber (290 House, 67 Senate if all vote). 8. Law: The bill becomes a public law. Courts can still review it later, the judicial branch's check on Congress and the President.

How many votes does a bill need to pass Congress?

In the House, a simple majority of members voting, which is 218 when all 435 vote. In the Senate, a simple majority (51 of 100, or 50 plus the Vice President's tiebreaker), but most bills first need 60 votes for cloture to end a filibuster.

What happens if the President vetoes a bill?

The bill goes back to the chamber where it started, with the President's objections. Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote of members voting in both chambers (290 in the House and 67 in the Senate if all vote). If either chamber falls short, the veto stands and the bill dies.

What is a pocket veto?

The President has 10 days, Sundays excepted, to act on a bill. If the President does nothing and Congress is in session, the bill becomes law without a signature. If Congress adjourns and that prevents the bill's return, the unsigned bill dies. That is a pocket veto, and Congress cannot override it.

How does this process show checks and balances?

Congress writes and passes laws, but the President can veto them. Congress can override the veto with two-thirds of both chambers. After a bill becomes law, the courts can strike it down if it violates the Constitution. Each branch can limit the others.

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