A Market Idea Takes Shape

A Food Share Proposal

At the Juniper Street Farmers Market, sellers often have safe fruits and vegetables left at closing time. The sellers and shoppers discuss an idea: a federal program could help food banks receive some of this extra produce. The idea is not a law yet. To ask the federal government to act, a member of Congress writes the idea as a bill and introduces it in the House of Representatives or the Senate.

After introduction, the bill goes to a committee in that chamber. A committee is a smaller group of members of Congress. Committee members study the bill. They may hold a hearing and listen to people who may be affected. They may suggest changes. If the committee moves the bill forward, the full chamber debates it and votes. If the committee does not move it forward, the bill may stop there.

If one chamber approves the bill, it goes to the other chamber. The second chamber studies, discusses, and votes on it too. Sometimes the two chambers approve different wording. Lawmakers then work to make one version. Before the bill can go to the president, both the House and the Senate must approve exactly the same wording.

The president then receives the approved bill. If the president signs it, the bill becomes a law. If the president vetoes it, the bill returns to Congress. Congress may try to override the veto. An override requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. If Congress succeeds, the bill becomes a law without the president's signature. A bill that is introduced or approved by only one chamber is not yet a law.