Floor Consideration of Conference Reports in the Senate

Publication Date: May 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

When a committee of conference approves its report, the next step in the legislative process is for the report, along with a joint explanatory statement of the managers, to be presented to the House and Senate for consideration. A conference report must be filed and considered in one chamber at a time, when a chamber is in possession of the official conference papers. In the Senate, Rule XXVIII allows conference reports to be presented or filed at almost any time the chamber is in legislative session, provided that the Senate is in possession of the conference papers. Exceptions to this procedure include a time when the Journal is being read, a question of order or a motion to adjourn is pending, during a quorum call, or while the Senate is voting. For more information on legislative process, see [http://www.crs.gov/products/guides/guidehome.shtml].