LegiList Learn

LegiList Learn helps demystify how Congress works — from drafting bills to final votes. Each explainer turns complex procedures into clear, nonpartisan insights anyone can understand.

Legislative Process
How a Bill Becomes LawFrom an idea to a signed law.
How Committees WorkJurisdiction, hearings, and markups.
What Happens in a Floor DebateRules, amendments, and votes.
Conference Committees ExplainedHow the House and Senate align versions.
Presidential Veto & OverridesWhat happens when a bill is rejected.
Bill Types and Actions
Types of Congressional BillsH.R., S., and the meanings behind each prefix.
Understanding Bill Status TermsIntroduced, Reported, Engrossed, Enrolled.
Reading a Bill SummaryHow to interpret Congress.gov summaries.
Cosponsors & Support TrackingWhat cosponsorship signals politically.
Amendments & SubstitutesHow and why bills are modified.
Voting and Records
How Votes Work in CongressVoice votes, roll calls, and quorums.
Understanding Roll Call VotesHow results are recorded and tallied.
“Yea,” “Nay,” & “Present”Why members abstain or vote present.
Reading a Vote RecordHow to interpret LegiList vote data.
Members and Committees
Committee AssignmentsHow members get and keep them.
Congressional Leadership RolesSpeaker, Leaders, and Whips explained.
Freshmen & SeniorityHow influence grows across sessions.
Caucuses and CoalitionsGroups that shape voting blocs and policy.
Behind the Scenes
From Bill to U.S. CodeHow laws are codified and published.
Congress and AgenciesOversight and budget control explained.
Budget and AppropriationsAuthorizing vs. appropriating funds.
Continuing Resolutions & ShutdownsWhen funding lapses and how it’s fixed.
The Congressional Budget OfficeScoring and fiscal impact analysis.
The Congressional Research ServiceNonpartisan research for lawmakers.
Public Participation and Transparency
How to Track a BillFollow legislation on Congress.gov or LegiList.
Contacting Your RepresentativesTips for effective, personal advocacy.
Understanding the Federal RegisterHow regulations follow new laws.
Lobbying and Disclosure RulesTransparency in influence and funding.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)Accessing government data responsibly.
Advanced Topics
What Happens After a Law PassesImplementation and rulemaking.
Reconciliation and the Budget ActThe special fiscal process in Congress.
Filibusters and ClotureThe mechanics and reform debates.
Impeachment ProcessConstitutional rules and history.
Treaties and Executive AgreementsHow the Senate reviews global pacts.