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The United States Congress is responsible for making and approving federal laws—rules that everyone in the country must follow. But exactly how do those laws get made? The process is not easy, and it takes a long time.
A law begins when someone puts forward an idea. The idea can come from anyone, but it has to get to a U. S. lawmaker who wants it to become legislation. In time，the idea is further developed into a written proposal, called a bill.
Then, a member of Congress officially proposes the bill. After the bill is introduced, it is sent to a small group of lawmakers, called a “committee”. Sometimes committee members seek more information about the proposal by holding hearings. Sometimes the committee changes the bill. Sometimes it decides not to take any action. In that case, we say lawmakers “table” the bill, or let it “die in committee”.
But now and then, the bill is offered to lawmakers not on the committee. Those lawmakers debate the bill further. They might change the bill again. Finally* the full House or Senate votes on the bill. If it does not earn the majority of votes，the bill does not advance.
Finally，the agreed-upon bill is sent to the president. If the president signs it, the bill becomes a law. If the president does nothing and Congress is officially meeting，the bill becomes a law. But if the president does nothing and Congress is not in session，the bill does not pass. Or the president can officially reject the bill If that happens，the bill is not stopped. Instead，it is returned to both the Senate and the House. If two-thirds of the senators and two-thirds of the House members approve the bill once again，even with the president objecting，they turn the bill into a law.
21.Who is the first to propose a bill?
A. A lawyer B. A citizen. C.A member of Congress. D.A committee member.
22.When does a bill finally become a law?
A.After it is sent to a committee. B.When the president signs it.
C.After it returns to the Congress. D.While Congress is not in session.
23.What can be inferred from the text?
A.Not every bill can be turned into a law. B.Anybody can put forward a proposal.
C.If “tabled”，the bill has to be voted on. D.Once proposed, the bill can’t be changed.
