美國國會程序

國會每年的立法提案數以千計，但真正立法只數百項。一項法案從起草到最後由總統簽字成為法律需要經過以下程序：

1) 起草法案。法案可以是由一位參議員或眾議員起草提出，也可以是基於某個行業代表機構或者個體公民提出的要求──他們甚至可以協助起草法案。但是，只有參議員或眾議員能夠正式提出立法議案。提案起草完畢後，起草人會在議員同事中尋找共同提案人，以增加提案的份量。

2) 立法草案在參議院或眾議院提出後被編號，提案名稱及提案人的名字被公佈在《國會議事錄》上。

立法提案可分為：

• 法案
• 聯合決議案
• 共同决议案
• 简单决议案

議員可以通過多種方式對法案投票，包括電子表決器。[1]

1. John V. Sullivan. . The Library of Congress. July 24, 2007 [2010-09-11]. （原始内容存档于2013-05-19）. System of Lights and Bells—Due to the diverse nature of daily tasks that they have to perform, it is not practicable for Members to be present in the House or Senate Chamber at every minute that the body is in session. Furthermore, many of the routine matters do not require the personal attendance of all the Members. A system consisting of electric lights and bells or buzzers located in various parts of the Capitol Building and House and Senate Office Buildings alerts Members to certain occurrences in the House and Senate Chambers. In the House, the Speaker has ordered that the bells and lights comprising the system be utilized as follows....