After congressional hearings have been held on a bill, the members of the subcommittee or full committee will meet to “mark up” the bill. This means that they will make final changes, adding and removing words and provisions, revising the amounts of money authorized, and otherwise polishing and perfecting the text before reporting it to the floor. The name dates back to the time when committee members and clerks literally “marked up” bills by writing the new amendments on the original text. Until the 1970s, markup sessions were held behind closed doors and were the occasion for much last-minute compromising and deal making. But “sunshine” rules adopted by the House in 1973 and the Senate in 1975 required that committees hold their markups in public session.
See also Committees, congressional; Hearings, congressional; “Sunshine” rules
