Fact Check: "A bill must be passed by both chambers of Congress to become law."
What We Know
The legislative process in the United States requires that a bill be passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can become law. According to USAGov, a bill is introduced in either chamber, goes through committee review, and is then voted on. If it passes one chamber, it must then go to the other chamber where it undergoes a similar process. Once both chambers have approved the bill, any differences between the two versions are reconciled, and the final version is sent to the President for approval or veto.
The U.S. Constitution explicitly states that "All Legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives" (Article I, Section 1) (house.gov). This reinforces the requirement that both chambers must agree on a bill for it to become law.
Analysis
The claim that a bill must be passed by both chambers of Congress is supported by multiple reliable sources. The process outlined by USAGov and the House of Representatives clearly describes the steps involved in passing legislation, including the necessity for both chambers to approve the final version of the bill.
Furthermore, the U.S. Senate confirms that a bill becomes law only when it is passed in identical form by both chambers and signed by the President, or if a presidential veto is overridden by Congress. This process ensures that both legislative bodies have a say in the laws that govern the nation, reflecting the checks and balances integral to the U.S. political system.
The sources cited are credible and authoritative, as they are official government websites that provide detailed explanations of the legislative process. There is no significant bias in these sources, as they aim to inform the public about how laws are made in the United States.
Conclusion
The verdict is True. A bill must indeed be passed by both chambers of Congress to become law. This requirement is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and is consistently upheld in the legislative process as described by multiple reliable sources.
