GED Social Studies TestCivics and GovernmentMedium
A bill is introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. After passing through committee and a full House vote, it is sent to the Senate. What is the next required step for the bill to potentially become law?
- AIt must be sent to a joint House-Senate conference committee.
- BIt must be debated and voted on by the Senate.
- CThe President must sign it immediately.
- DThe Supreme Court must review its constitutionality.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. It must be debated and voted on by the Senate.
For a bill to become law, it must pass through both chambers of Congress (House and Senate) in identical form. After passing the House, the next step is for the Senate to consider, debate, and vote on the bill.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A conference committee is only needed if the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill, which might happen after the Senate votes, but it's not the *next required step* if it's simply sent to the Senate for consideration.
- C. The President signs a bill only after it has passed both chambers of Congress.
- D. The Supreme Court reviews constitutionality only if a law is challenged, not as part of the standard legislative process.
Legislative Process
The series of steps a bill must take to become a law in the United States, involving introduction, committee review, floor debate, and votes in both chambers of Congress, followed by presidential action.
- Requires passage by both House and Senate
- Committees play a critical role in review and revision
- Presidential approval or veto is the final step
Memory trick: I.C.F.S.P. = 'I Can Finally See Progress' on a bill.