Outline five processes by which a bill becomes law in a presidential system of government.

Answer Details

In a presidential system of government, a proposed law (a bill) must pass through several stages before it becomes law. The main processes are:

1. First reading: the bill is formally introduced in the legislature (for example, in the House of Representatives or Senate). Only the title is read; there is no debate at this stage.
2. Second reading: the general principles and merits of the bill are debated by the members. If the bill is accepted in principle, it is passed on for detailed examination.
3. Committee stage: the bill is referred to a relevant committee, which examines it clause by clause, may hold public hearings, and makes amendments before reporting back to the house.
4. Report stage and third reading: the committee reports its findings and amendments to the whole house; the amended bill is considered, debated finally and voted upon. If passed, it goes to the other chamber (in a bicameral legislature) to go through the same stages, and any differences are harmonised by a conference committee.
5. Presidential assent: once passed by the legislature, the bill is sent to the President, who signs it into law. If the President withholds assent (vetoes it), the legislature may still pass it into law by overriding the veto with the required (usually two-thirds) majority of both houses.

After assent, the new law is published in the official gazette and becomes operative.