Congressional Compromise

The Constitution requires that the House and Senate approve the same bill or joint resolution in precisely the same form before it is presented to the President for his approval or veto. To this end, both houses must pass the same measure and then attempt to reach agreement about its provisions. Congress relies on two formal means of resolving differences on House and Senate versions of legislation: conference committee and amendment exchange. This book explores the procedural options for resolving differences through amendment exchange and identifies legislative options at each stage of the amendment exchange process, first for the Senate and then for the House.