Concurrent resolution
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In the United States, a concurrent resolution is a legislative measure passed by both the Senate and the House. Although passed by both houses, concurrent resolutions are not presented to the President and do not have the force of law.
Concurrent resolutions are generally used to address the sentiments of both chambers or deal with issues or matters affecting both houses. Some examples of concurrent resolutions are:
- providing for a recess or adjournment of more than three days
- permitting the use of the Capitol Rotunda, which is under the control of both Houses
- providing for a Joint Session of Congress, normally to hear a message from the President
- correcting the enrollment of a bill that has already passed both Houses
- asking the President to return a bill that has been presented to him, before he has signed or vetoed the bill
- launching the Congressional budget process (concurrent budget resolution)
- creating a temporary joint Committee
Sometimes, before the Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha decision, concurrent resolutions were used to override executive actions via a mechanism known as the legislative veto. (However sometimes the legislative veto was exercised by just one house.) In any event, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled the legislative veto unconstitutional.
Concurrent resolutions are distinguished by bill number. Concurrent resolutions originating in the Senate are abbreviated "S Con. Res." and those originating in the House are abbreviated "H Con. Res."
