#74: CIVICS 101: The Legislative Branch
Q&A #74: What happens to a bill after it becomes a law?
Our American Government
Our American Government is a small book published by the House of Representatives for citizens and those who seek a greater understanding of the American interpretation of democracy. It follows a question-and-answer format and covers a broad range of topics dealing with the three branches of our Government, the electoral process, and the role of political parties.
The Savvy Citizen is reproducing the 169 questions-and-answers through a series of posts called Civics 101. Each post will contain the Q&A as well as some additional commentary to add historical context, fun facts, or anything we believe will add to our collective understanding of these topics.
Think of it as your adult Civics class but without the test!
Let’s keep at it.
SECTION: The Legislative Branch: The Congress
Congressional Rules and Procedures
Q&A #73: What happens to a bill after it becomes a law?
The provisions of a law take effect immediately unless the law itself provides for another date. The law may also specify which executive departments, agencies, or officers are empowered to carry out or enforce the law.
The actual written document is sent to the National Archives and Records Administration, an independent agency of the Government, where it is given a number. It is then published in individual form as a ‘‘slip law.’’ At the end of each session of Congress, these new laws are consolidated in a bound volume called U.S. Statutes at Large.
In addition, all permanent, general laws currently in force are included in the Code of Laws of the United States of America, commonly called the U.S. Code. The Office of Law Revision Counsel, part of the institutional structure of the House of Representatives, is responsible for preparing and issuing annual supplements to keep the Code up-to-date.
My Thoughts
All public laws are included in the U.S. Code, which you can find here. Laws are organized by subject matter called Titles. Currently, the code has 54 Titles and five (5) appendices.
For example, Title 18 covers Crimes and Criminal Procedure. Every federal crime is included in this section. Title 50 covers War and National Defense. Chapter 3 of Title 50 addresses Alien Enemies. Section 21 of Chapter 3 addresses “restraint, regulation, and removal” of alien enemies in the United States.
The Alien Enemies Act President Trump relied on for the basis of removing Venezuealan gang members from the United States is codified at 50 USC 21 (Title 50, Section 21). The chapter names aren’t part of the official citation sine section numbers don’t reset with each chapter.
More on all of this later!
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Back next time with Q&A #75: Are the proceedings of Congress published and preserved?
Meanwhile, don’t forget that we’re organizing the post links on a single page available here.
xo,
Kelley for the Savvy Citizen Team
April 3, 2025