Sherrod Library Government Documents HOW LAWS ARE MADE The
process by which a bill in Congress becomes law can seem
mysterious and complicated. Our system of government works
basically as set forth in the Constitution; however, over the
past 225 years, procedures, precedents, and preferences have
made the process more complicated than it was originally
envisioned. To muddle our understanding, traditions reaching
back to British rule of the colonies have influenced how our
government works. The process has also developed its own
terminology that can confuse us at each stage a bill goes
through. This guide will try to clarify the process, break the
steps down, and offer suggestions to help find documentation for
each step.