Congressional Housing Bill Tracker

A bill is introduced in the House, Senate, or both chambers by a member of Congress. This is the first step in the legislative process. Bills can be introduced by any member of Congress and are assigned a number (H.R. for House bills, S. for Senate bills). Multiple bills on the same topic are often introduced simultaneously.

Bills are assigned to relevant committees for review, hearings, and potential amendments. Most bills never make it past this stage. Committees hold public hearings, invite expert testimony, and may make significant changes to the bill. This is where most bills die or are substantially modified.

If approved by committee, bills move to the full chamber for debate and voting. Both chambers must pass identical versions. Floor debate can last days or weeks, with members offering amendments and arguing for or against the bill. A simple majority is required to pass most bills.

If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee works to reconcile the differences into a single bill. Conference committees include members from both chambers and must create a compromise version that both houses can agree to. This step is often where bills fail or are significantly changed.

The President must sign the bill for it to become law. The President can also veto the bill, sending it back to Congress. If vetoed, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers. Once signed, the bill becomes law and takes effect according to its provisions.