The Declaration ofIndependenceThe Constitution ofthe United StatesThe Bill of RightsAmendmentsXI–XXVII

Pocket Constitution

Legislative Process Flowchart

Legislation may begin in either chamber.Similar proposals are often introduced in both chambers.Measures must pass both the House and the Senatein identical form before being presented to the President.

Measure introducedin the HouseLeadership schedulesmeasure for floorconsiderationHouse debates andcan amend measureHouse passes measureHouse approves conference report Senate approves conference reportMeasure referred tocommittee, which holdshearings and reportsmeasure to the HouseOne chamberagrees tothe otherchamber’sversionEach chamber appointsMembers to a conferencecommittee, which reconcilesdifferences and agrees toa conference reportHouse andSenate exchangeamendments tobill and reachagreement

Legislation presented to the President.

PresidentsignsmeasureMeasurebecomes lawIf President does notsign measure into lawwithin 10 daysIf Congress isin session,measurebecomes lawIf Congress isnot in session,measuredoes notbecome law(“pocket veto”)PresidentvetoesmeasureMeasure doesnot become law,unlessboth chambersoverride veto by2/3 majority

For importantmeasures, special rulereported by the RulesCommittee and adoptedby the House

ORMeasure introducedin the SenateLeadership schedulesmeasure for floorconsiderationSenate debates andcan amend measureSenate passes measureMeasure referred tocommittee, which holdshearings and reportsmeasure to the SenateOR OR

Sources: U.S. Senate; U.S. House of Representatives; and the

Congressional Deskbook

The Declarationof Independence

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1The Constitutionof the United States

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9The Bill of Rights

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29 AmendmentsXI–XXVII

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