What is the process in ratificating a law in the United States?

Answer:
Well there is the way it was supposed to be and the real way.

A law can be started by either house (Senate or Congress) or by the President. It is discussed, voted on and then sent to the other house for approval. Upon approval by both the President signs it into law. (thats the way it was supposed to be)

The way it happens today is, its started by either house or by President, its faced with strict opposition by the opposing party until side items, grants, pork and other 'freebies' for people to garnish their votes are added to the bill. Then it faces an uphill climb by people left out of the process (or receiving their share of pork or line items). Eventually it makes it way into the other house, where even MORE crap is added on to it, such that half the time the additions are 20 times more than the original law. Once approved by both the House and Senate, it goes to the President, who, will veto it if it is not overwhelmingly approved (beyond veto range), or sign it, or if the President is in the opposite party than whoever sponsored the bill, its dead in the water. (This is closer to what really happens.)

This is also the reason why our politicians dont want the President to have "line item" veto powers and that the government does well when you have an equal number of Repubs to Dem, because nothing gets done!

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You never saw the School House Rock, I'm just a Bill?

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Go get the CD School House Rocks from the old 80's cartoons. There is a song about ratification of a bill. Very catchy and you won't forget it.