Table of Contents

I. Introduction

II. The Congress

III. Sources of Legislation

IV. Forms of Congressional Action

Bills

Joint Resolutions

Concurrent Resolutions

Simple Resolutions

V.  Introduction and Referral to Committee

VI. Consideration by Committee

Committee Meetings

Public Hearings

Markup

Final Committee Action

Points of Order with Respect to Committee Hearing Procedure

VII. Reported Bills

Contents of Reports

Filing of Reports

Availability of Reports and Hearings

VIII. Legislative Oversight by Standing Committees

IX. Calendars

Union Calendar

House Calendar

Private Calendar

Calendar of Motions to Discharge Committees

X. Obtaining Consideration of Measures

Unanimous Consent

Special Resolution or "Rule"

Consideration of Measures Made in Order by Rule Reported from the Committee on Rules

Motion to Discharge Committee

Motion to Suspend the Rules

Calendar Wednesday

District of Columbia Business

Questions of Privilege

Privileged Matters

XI. Consideration and Debate

Committee of the Whole

Second Reading

Amendments and the Germaneness Rule

Congressional Earmarks

The Committee "Rises"

House Action

Motion to Recommit

Quorum Calls and Roll Calls

Voting

Electronic Voting

Pairing of Members

System of Lights and Bells

Recess Authority

Live Coverage of Floor Proceedings

XII. Congressional Budget Process

XIII. Engrossment and Message to Senate

XIV. Senate Action

Committee Consideration

Chamber Procedure

XV. Final Action on Amended Bill

Request for a Conference

Authority of Conferees

Meetings and Action of Conferees

Conference Reports

Custody of Papers

XVI. Bill Originating in Senate

XVII. Enrollment

XVIII. Presidential Action

Veto Message

Line Item Veto

XIX. Publication

Slip Laws

Statutes at Large

United States Code

Appendix