
[Intro: John Sheldon]
Whew, you sure gotta climb a lot of steps to get to this Capitol Building here in Washington
Well, I wonder who that sad little scrap of paper is
[Chorus: Bill]
I'm just a bill, yes, I'm only a bill
And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill
Well, it's a long, long journey to the capital city
It's a long, long wait while I'm sitting in committee
But I know I'll be a law someday
At least I hope and pray that I will
But today, I am still just a bill
[Verse 1: Bill & John Sheldon]
Gee, Bill, you certainly have a lot of patience and courage
Well, I got this far
When I started, I wasn't even a bill, I was just an idea
Some folks back home decided they wanted a law passed
So they called their local congressman and he said, "You're right, there ought to be a law"
Then he sat down and wrote me out and introduced me to Congress, and I became a bill
And I'll remain a bill until they decide to make me a law
[Chorus: Bill]
I'm just a bill, yes, I'm only a bill
And I got as far as Capitol Hill
Well, now I'm stuck in committee, and I'll sit here and wait
While a few key congressmen discuss and debate
Whether they should let me be a law
How I hope and pray that they will
But today, I am still just a bill
[Verse 2: Bill & John Sheldon]
Listen to those congressmen arguing
Is all that discussion and debate about you?
Yeah, I'm one of the lucky ones
Most bills never even get this far
I hope they decide to report on me favorably, otherwise I may die
Die?
Yeah, die in committee
Ooh, but it looks like I'm gonna live
Now I go to the House of Representatives and they vote on me
If they vote "yes", what happens?
Then I go to the Senate and the whole thing starts all over again
Oh no
Oh yes!
[Chorus: Bill]
I'm just a bill, yes, I'm only a bill
And if they vote for me on Capitol Hill
Well, then I'm off to the White House where I'll wait in a line
With a lot of other bills for the president to sign
And if he signs me then I'll be a law
How I hope and pray that he will
But today, I am still just a bill
[Verse 3: Bill & John Sheldon]
You mean even if the whole Congress says you should be a law
The president can still say no?
Yes, that's called a "veto"
If the President vetoes me, I have to go back to Congress
And they vote on me again, and by that time it's all only—
By that time, it's very unlikely that you'll become a law
It's not easy to become a law, is it?
No!
[Chorus: Bill]
But how I hope and I pray that I will
But today, I am still just a bill
[Outro: Bill & Rep. McCoy]
He signed you, Bill
Now you're a law!
Oh yes!