What must happen for a bill to become law?

For a bill to become law in the United States, it is indeed necessary for it to be passed by both houses of Congress and then signed by the President. This process is a fundamental aspect of the legislative system established by the U.S. Constitution, which outlines that a bill must first be introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. It then undergoes debate, amendments, and voting in each chamber.

Once both chambers have agreed on the final version of the bill, it is sent to the President. The President can either sign the bill into law, allowing it to take effect, or veto it, sending it back to Congress with objections. Congress can then attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses if they choose to pursue the bill further.

The other options do not accurately represent the legislative process. The Supreme Court does not have a role in the initial passage of legislation, public referendums are not a requirement for most federal laws, and executive orders are a separate tool used by the President to manage the operations of the federal government without going through Congress. Thus, the requirement for both houses' approval and presidential assent is the established pathway for a bill to become law.