What type of vote is required for a proposed law to pass both houses of Congress?

A proposed law, also known as a bill, requires a majority vote in both houses of Congress— the House of Representatives and the Senate— for it to pass. This means that more than half of the members present must vote in favor of the bill. In the House of Representatives, this typically means that at least 218 out of 435 members must support the bill, assuming all members are present and voting. In the Senate, the requirement is a majority of those voting, which can vary depending on how many senators are present.

This majority requirement reflects the fundamental principle of democracy, where the decision of the majority rules and allows for legislation to be enacted efficiently, addressing the needs and interests of the majority of representatives and, by extension, their constituents.