Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: How Congress Functions: Pt. 15: Resolutions
Resolutions in Congress can be simple or joint. They can be proposals for laws, for constitutional amendments, or for other matters.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: How Congress Functions: Pt. 17: Bills in Committee
Bills are assigned to one or more committees when they first enter the House of Representatives or the Senate. They are examined, amended, then go to a hearing, which is often public, for further scrutiny.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: How Congress Functions: Pt. 18: Mark Up Sessions
Mark-up sessions are committee meetings that happen at a later stage in the process a bill goes through before a final vote in the Senate or the House.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: How Congress Functions: Pt. 19: Conference Committees
A conference committee is comprised of members from both chambers of Congress. It tries to resolve differences between the House and the Senate over the content of a bill. It issues a conference report to both chambers for a vote.