Read Time: 2 min 35 sec
─────── November 22, 2025 ───────
Happy Saturday!
There have been some high-profile laws passed in the last two weeks (one to reopen the government and one to release Epstein files).
It’s prompted a number of questions that have revealed most of us only sorta know how a bill becomes a law. 🤔
So, grab a cup of coffee (or steal a few sips like MoMo the squirrel), and let’s get to it.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“When your spirit is heavy, when your heart is broken, when your burdens seem unbearable - trust Him. Look to Him.”
Anne Graham Lotz
BREWING QUESTIONS
WHAT YOU’RE ASKING
Where Do Laws Come From?
When a mommy idea and a daddy idea love each other very much… Federal laws start as bills sponsored by a member of Congress.
It goes roughly just as Schoolhouse Rock sang it. Bills are…
Formally introduced in either the House or Senate
Debated in one of that chamber’s committees
Voted on by the full chamber
Sent to the other chamber
Debated in one of that chamber’s committees
Voted on by the full chamber
Once an identical bill passes the House (by simple majority) and the Senate (3/5 needed to end debate), it goes to the President, who signs it into law or vetoes it. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
How many bills are we talkin’?
About 10,000 bills are introduced in each two-year Congressional session, but most don’t make it out of committees. On average, only 100-200 of the ~10,000 become laws.
The bills most likely to become laws are championed by party leadership—either the Speaker of the House or the Senate Majority Leader—who can introduce bills directly to the floor, bypassing the committee process.
For an interactive overview of what Congress has done so far this year, go here and click the play button.
Is the process always the same?
There are a few exceptions, including:
Tax laws (must begin in the House)
Treaties (negotiated by President, approved by ⅔ of Senate—House has no role)
Constitutional Amendments (⅔ vote in House and Senate + ratification by ¾ of state legislatures—President has no role)
Then what?
Once a bill has approval from the House, the Senate, and the President, it’s delivered to the Office of the Federal Register at the National Archives, assigned a public law number, and included in the next edition of the United States Statutes at Large.
Want to hear Jason, Joe, and Kathleen dive more into how laws are made? Watch this week’s episode of TPO Explains!
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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Our goal is to keep the big things big and the small things small. Federal laws can be important, but they’re just not God-of-the-Universe important. Stay focused on eternity; it changes everything.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:2-4 (CSB) (read full passage)
FROM OUR PARTNERS 🤠
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HOUSE BLEND
WHAT YOU’LL ENJOY
See if you can guess this week’s TPO Wordle.
Whipped Cream on Top: Some very nostalgic butter…
A shiny, new planner*. Created by TPO Reader Heather L., Sprouted Planner provides minimal, yet meaningful, planning tools that help you be intentional, take time to reflect, and prioritize precious time with the ones you love. Spend your time on what matters.
*This is a free promo for a TPO-reader-owned small biz. Have your own small business you want us to know about? Fill out this form!
WHAT YOU’VE BEAN CLICKING…
Top News Video: A Texas State Trooper knocking into South Carolina football players.
Top Christian Perspective: A verse to consider whether you’re weighing a major career change or what to cook for dinner. Download a wallpaper of it here!
Top Whipped Cream: She believed she could… so she did.
TAKE IT TO GO
WHAT WE’RE RECOMMENDING
What We’re Doing With Our Kids This Christmas
A Free Family Fun Guide*
Holiday crafts don’t have to mean glitter explosions or projects that require an engineering degree. This free Christmas Family Fun Guide is packed with meaningful, low-prep activities your kids will actually look forward to.
You’ll get Advent candle coloring sheets, memory-verse games, and a popsicle-stick nativity that the kiddos will actually be excited about. Each activity takes 15 minutes or less, but the conversations, connections, and Christmas mems will last far longer.
Download the free guide, heat up some cocoa, and enjoy an easy win for this Christmas season.
*From our partners
WHAT WE’RE PRAYING
Give wisdom to our fallen lawmakers governing in a fallen world, so that they might manage sin-caused chaos with dignity and skill. Give them insight into the needs of their constituents, so that they might serve out of love. Give them favor among their colleagues, so that they might earn trust and negotiate in good faith. And when they disagree on the best way forward, may they model gentleness, respect, and humility, creatively compromising to bring about the good of the public. Strengthen them for long, hard days, and bless the work of their hands. Thank you for our Representative, Jesus, in whom we pray. Amen.
This prayer is adapted from our new Sunday newsletter, Praying the News. For more reflection and a prayer for Capitol Hill in your inbox tomorrow, subscribe for free here.
ICYMI, we’re getting a jumpstart on our Christmas lists. Join us! Take a peek at our Christmas Gift Guide!
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