Guide to Legislative Process in the HouseI. INTRODUCTION
This handbook is intended to provide a readable and nontechnical outline of the background and the numerous steps of our Federal lawmaking process from the origin of an idea for a legislative proposal through its publication as a statute. This is a matter about which every citizen should be well informed so as to be able to understand the everyday news reports and discussions concerning the work of Congress.
It is hoped that this handbook will enable every citizen to gain a greater understanding of the Federal legislative process and its role as one of the bulwarks of our representative system. One of the most practical safeguards of the American democratic way of life is this legislative process that, with its emphasis on the protection of the minority, gives ample opportunity to all sides to be heard and make their views known. The fact that a proposal cannot become a law without consideration and approval by both Houses of Congress is an outstanding virtue of our legislative system. Open and full discussion provided for under our Constitution often results in the notable improvement of a bill by amendment before it becomes law, or it may result in the defeat of a bad proposal.
Because the large majority of laws originate in the House of Representatives, this discussion will be directed principally to the procedure in that body.