The intuitional structure of congress is one key factor that helps shape the legislative process. Even if a associate of congress, the White House, or federal agency has spent months budding and drafting a piece of legislation, it does become a bill until it is submitted officially by senator or representative to the clerk of the House or Senate and referred to the appropriate committee for deliberation. When the hearings are completed, the subcommittee may meet to "mark up" the bill; that is, make changes and amendments prior to recommending the bill to the full committee. The committee must approve the bill and send it to the Senator or House floor to debate. After receiving a subcommittee's report on a bill the full committee votes on its
