Legislation refers to the preparation, drafting, and enactment of laws by legislative bodies through a formal lawmaking process. The term “lawmaking” also applies to the formulation of administrative regulations in exercising delegated legislative powers. Legislation is the subject of considerable attention from legal scholars and practitioners because of its role in determining the rules that govern an area of the law.
Each year Congress passes thousands of pieces of legislation. The Constitution gives Congress legislative authority, which means the two chambers of Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate) can propose, debate, and vote on potential laws.
The first step in the legislative process is when a member of Congress sponsors a bill. The bill is then assigned a committee and, if released by the committee, is placed on a calendar to be debated and voted upon. If a bill passes both houses, it is then sent to the executive branch for signature into law or a veto. If the President vetoes a bill, the legislature may attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds majority in each chamber.
Each piece of legislation has a number that is used to identify it in the statutes. A bill’s number is based on the congressional session in which it is passed. In a bicameral system, like the United States, bills are numbered in both the House and Senate. If a bill is amended, the amendments are added to the existing law. Material that is being added to an existing law is referred to as being “inside the quotes” while freestanding provisions are described as being “outside the quotes”.