concurrent resolution

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In the United States, a concurrent resolution is a legislative measure passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Passed by both houses, concurrent resolutions are not presented to the President and do not have the force of law. In contrast, a joint resolution or a bill is presented to the President and, once signed or approved over a veto, does have the power of law.

Concurrent resolutions are generally used to address the sentiments of both chambers or deal with issues or matters affecting both houses. Examples of concurrent resolutions include

• 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, such as the State of the Union Address

• 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 budget process

• creating a temporary joint committee

Sometimes, before the Supreme Court's Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha decision ended the practice, concurrent resolutions were used to override executive actions via a mechanism known as the legislative veto.

If both Houses of Congress were to ever censure a President (which has never happened - both the House and Senate have done so individually, but so far never together) it would, according to parliamentary procedures, be a concurrent resolution, as a joint resolution requires the President's signature or veto and has the power of law. A concurrent resolution does not have the power of law nor require action by the Executive to take force.

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."

See also

Joint resolution