Article I: How a Bill Becomes Law

In addition to laying out the structure of the legislative branch, Article I of the Constitution also defines some of the powers of this branch of government, including how they are to make laws.

Article I, Section 7: Origination Clause

All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Known as the Origination Clause, Article I, Section 7, of the Constitution specifies that all bills that deal with raising money must start in the House of Representatives.

Article I, Section 7: Presentment Clause

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively.

Also included in Article I, Section 7, is the Presentment Clause, which allows the president to veto legislation. This means that the president is able to prevent a bill from becoming law, unless two-thirds of both the House and Senate vote to override the president’s veto.

Article I, Section 7: Presidential Approval or Veto

If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Article I, Section 7, includes how the president may navigate signing a bill, including what’s known as the “pocket veto.” A pocket veto occurs when Congress approves and sends a bill to the president to be signed but then adjourns before the 10-day signing period is over. In these circumstances, the president can prevent the bill from becoming law simply by declining to sign it.

Click on the Arrange It activity to diagram the steps a bill can take to become a law.