When a bill is "reported out" of committee it is entered onto a calendar to await consideration by the whole chamber. Once a bill reaches the floor, it can be debated and amended before coming to a vote.

When the House or Senate approves a bill, it is sent to the other chamber for consideration, where it is again assigned to the appropriate committee.

At this point legislation technically becomes an "act" (because it has been passed by one chamber of Congress), although it is still typically referred to as a bill.