Why does a bill have to go through many steps before it is voted on?

In order for a bill to become a law, it must pass through many steps. There are a few reasons for this. One reason is that we want to be sure the bill and its effects are thoroughly considered. By having a committee study a bill and then make recommendations, this helps to consider what impacts the bill will have. Even by doing this thorough review, there may still be unintended consequences.

We also want...

In order for a bill to become a law, it must pass through many steps. There are a few reasons for this. One reason is that we want to be sure the bill and its effects are thoroughly considered. By having a committee study a bill and then make recommendations, this helps to consider what impacts the bill will have. Even by doing this thorough review, there may still be unintended consequences.

We also want more than one branch of government involved in the lawmaking process. By allowing the president to veto laws, this acts as a brake on the powers of Congress. Without veto power, Congress could pass any law it wanted to pass. Congress now needs to consider the views of the president before passing a bill. Additionally, by having the courts review the laws, it requires Congress to try to make sure the bill would be legal under the Constitution. This is another limit on the powers of Congress. While judicial review is not a step in the lawmaking process, it does factor into the thinking that goes into proposing a bill.

There are many steps involved in passing a bill. This is done to make sure the bill is well written, is legal, and considers the effects the bill will produce.