Schoolhouse Rock

I'm Just a Bill
Boy: Woof! You sure got to climb a lot of steps to get to this Capitol Building here in Washington. But I wonder who that sad little scrap of paper is?Bill: I'm just a billYes, I'm only a billAnd I'm sitting here on Capitol HillWell, it's a long, long journeyTo the capital cityIt's a long, long waitWhile I'm sitting in committeeBut I know I'll be a law somedayAt least I hope and pray that I willBut today I am still just a billBoy: Gee, Bill, you certainly have a lot of patience and courageBill: 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.I'm just a billYes, I'm only a bill,And I got as far as Capitol HillWell, now I'm stuck in committeeAnd I'll sit here and waitWhile a few key Congressmen discuss and debateWhether they should let me be a lawHow I hope and pray that they willBut today I am still just a billSongtexteBoy: Listen to those congressmen arguing! Is all that discussion and debate about you?Bill: 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.Boy: Die?Bill: Yeah, die in committee. Oh, but it looks like I'm going to live! Now I go to the House of Representatives, and they vote on me.Boy: If they vote yes, what happens?Bill: Then I go to the Senate and the whole thing starts all over again.Boy: Oh no!Bill: Oh yes!I'm just a billYes, I'm only a billAnd if they vote for me on Capitol HillWell, then I'm off to the White HouseWhere I'll wait in a lineWith a lot of other billsFor the president to signAnd if he signs me, then I'll be a lawHow I hope and pray that he willBut today I am still just a billBoy: You mean even if the whole Congress says you should be a law, the president can still say no?Bill: 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 you're so old . . .Boy: By that time it's very unlikely that you'll become a law. It's not easy to become a law, is it?Bill: No!But how I hope and I pray that I willBut today I am still just a billCongressman: He signed you, Bill! Now you're a law!Bill: Oh yes! Aus Songtexte Mania