What is the first step in the process of a bill becoming law?

The first step in the process of a bill becoming a law is that it is introduced in one of the houses of Congress, either the House of Representatives or the Senate. This introduction is crucial because it sets in motion the legislative process.

Once a bill is introduced, it can be referred to committees for review, debate, and potential amendments. This initial step is where a bill garners support or opposition and where detailed discussions about its content begin. By introducing the bill, lawmakers create a formal record of the proposal and allow it to be examined, discussed, and ultimately voted on by their respective chamber.

The other options describe subsequent steps in the legislative process. For instance, the President signing the bill occurs after it has been approved by both houses, while sending it to the other house occurs after the initial discussion and voting in the first house. Similarly, the process of Congress voting to override a veto happens after a bill has been passed by both houses and then rejected by the President. Thus, these actions follow the initial step of introducing a bill in Congress.