push a bill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'push a bill' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb phrase meaning to advocate for a specific legislative bill, usually through public support or through political pressure. For example, "The senator is pushing a bill to increase funding for public schools."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We want you to push a bill through Congress repealing the Affordable Care Act".

The New Yorker

Then he and John McCain managed to push a bill through Congress to control soft money.

The New York Times

With unemployment so high, both political parties seem hesitant to push a bill that might be accused of destroying jobs.

The New York Times

He wants to overhaul the financial regulatory system, and Democrats began to push a bill through the Senate on Monday.

The New York Times

But Mr. Corker said it "would be a travesty" to push a bill of such length and complexity through in one week.

The New York Times

Theoretically, he has enough votes to push a bill through, but he is coming up for re-election as Speaker and will not want to alienate conservative Republicans.

The Guardian

Angered, the president tried to push a bill through parliament that would have allowed him to replace the university's head and block it from transferring its assets.

The Economist

In particular, Brown said the group would push a bill called the First Amendment Defense Act across the country in 2016.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Meanwhile, Jim McGovern, a Democratic congressman from Massachusetts, is pushing a bill calling for an exit strategy.

The Economist

[DNA Info] Local politicians are pushing a bill to curtail deportation of some jailed immigrants.

The New York Times

She is also pushing a bill that would overhaul Deepwater's management.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "push a bill", consider the intensity of effort. Alternatives like "support a bill" might be more appropriate for less aggressive advocacy.

Common error

Avoid using "push a bill" when simply agreeing with a proposed law. "Support", "endorse", or "favor" are better choices for passive agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "push a bill" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of actively promoting or advocating for a specific piece of legislation. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase suggests a proactive effort to advance a bill through a legislative body.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "push a bill" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the active promotion of legislation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. While it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, you should be mindful of its connotations. Alternatives such as "support a bill" or "champion a bill" might be more appropriate depending on the specific level of advocacy you wish to convey. Use it accurately and avoid overstating the level of active promotion when describing legislative support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

promote a bill

Focuses on actively advertising and supporting the bill.

advance a bill

Emphasizes moving the bill forward in the legislative process.

champion a bill

Suggests strong advocacy and leadership for the bill.

sponsor a bill

Highlights the act of formally introducing and supporting the bill.

steer a bill through

Implies skillful guidance of the bill through obstacles.

shepherd a bill

Suggests careful guidance and protection of the bill during its legislative journey.

get a bill passed

Focuses on achieving the final goal of legislative approval.

introduce a bill

Highlights the initial act of presenting the bill for consideration.

table a bill

Refers to submitting a proposal or motion for discussion in a legislative setting.

support a bill

Indicates giving backing and endorsement to the bill.

FAQs

How can I use "push a bill" in a sentence?

You can use "push a bill" to describe the act of actively promoting and advocating for a piece of legislation. For example, "The senator is working hard to push a bill that will reduce taxes for small businesses."

What's a more neutral way to say "push a bill"?

If you want to express support for a bill without implying intense advocacy, consider using phrases like "support a bill" or "endorse a bill".

Is "push a bill" the same as "pass a bill"?

No, "push a bill" refers to the effort to promote a bill, while "pass a bill" means the bill has successfully gone through the legislative process and been approved.

What can I say instead of "push a bill" to suggest strong advocacy?

For strong advocacy, you might use "champion a bill" or "spearhead a bill" to convey a sense of leadership and active promotion.