Legislation is a critical instrument for shaping the legal framework of a society. It establishes the rights and responsibilities of individuals and organizations, aiming to balance competing interests in an open and democratic society. This requires ongoing dialogue and compromise, as well as an ability to adapt to changing societal norms and demands.
The majority of legislation takes the form of bills. Bills deal with a wide variety of domestic and international issues, programs and appropriations. They can be public or private, affecting the general population or specific classes of citizens. Often, when a bill is drafted, the committee to which it is assigned conducts hearings where advocates and opponents of the measure present their views on its merits. After the hearing, the members of the committee can accept or reject the proposed amendments and consider the bill for a report to the chamber.
Occasionally, the draft of a bill comes from the results of an extensive study undertaken over the course of a year or more by a commission or committee established by Congress. In these instances, the committee often seeks the recommendations of the Administration before proceeding with its work. When the House and Senate pass differing versions of a bill, a conference committee is convened to reach a compromise version that can be passed by both chambers.
Once a bill passes both houses and is approved by the President, it becomes an Act of Congress with its own Law Library number. The Act then may be enforced in the jurisdictions of federal agencies through regulations, rules, determinations and ordinances created by a responsible executive branch office-holder or department.