I’m Just A Bill

Lyrics

[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!