1. 1) Homer is Hungry
• Someone has an idea for a
bill
• Idea for a bill is presented
in one house of Congress
– Money bills only in House
2. 2) Homer decides he’s hungry for
a donut
• Bill introduced in Congress
• Bill gets a number and
assigned to a standing
committee
3. 3) Homer decides which donut
he wants
• The bill is sent to a
subcommittee
• Subcommittee holds
hearings where experts
testify for and against the
bill
• Subcommittee sends the
bill back to full committee
4. 4) Homer reconsiders
Back in the full committee,
they can…
B. Approve bill
C. Rewrite language and
approve bill
REJECT!
D. Reject bill
E. Amend (make real
changes) and approve bill
5. 5 - A) Homer drives to donut store
• In the WHOLE House of
Origin, congresspeople
debate, maybe amend, and
vote on bill
• If passed, bill goes to other
house
6. 5 - B) Homer stops at a red light
• Other House debates,
maybe amends, and votes
on bill
7. 5 - C) Homer arrives at donut store
• If bill passes both Houses,
it goes to the President
8. 6 - A) Homer finally gets his
donut!
• President signs bill into
law.
9. 7) The donut store makes Homer
wait
• President can hold the bill
unsigned
10. 6 - B) Homer finally gets his
donut!
• Even if president refuses
to sign bill, if Congress is
in session, bill becomes
law in 10 days
***If Congress not in
session, bill dies (pocket
veto)
11. 8) The donut store is closed - no
donuts!
• President can veto the bill
(reject it)
12. 9) Homer drives to another store…
• The bill goes back to both
houses of Congress for
debate
13. 6 - C) Homer finally gets his donut!
• If Congress passes bill by
2/3 majority in both
houses, bill becomes law
• This is called overriding a
veto
14. 10) Oh no! Homer ate a poison
gas donut!
• The Judicial branch can
interpret laws
• If they are found
unconstitutional, they are
struck down - no longer
legal
