The President signs the Bill, and it officially becomes a law of the United States.
The new law is then assigned a public law number and becomes part of the body of Federal law.
But a presidential signature does not necessarily mean that everything contained in the law takes effect immediately.
Some laws become effective as soon as they are signed. Others specify a future effective date or require federal agencies to take additional steps before certain provisions can be implemented.
In other words, passing a law and implementing a law are not always the same thing.
A presidential signature is an enormous milestone, but it does not mean the legislative process is over.
For advocate groups like EMET, the work may shift from persuading Congress to pass legislation to ensuring that the law is funded, implemented, and enforced as Congress intended.
Congress also continues to play an important role after the Bill becomes law through hearings, oversight, appropriations, reporting requirements, and communication with the federal agencies responsible for carrying it out.
