In theUnited States Congress, ajoint resolution is a legislative measure that requires passage by theSenate and theHouse of Representatives and is presented to thepresident for their approval or disapproval. Generally, there is no legal difference between a jointresolution and abill. Both must be passed, in exactly the same form, by both chambers of Congress, and signed by the President (or, re-passed in override of a presidentialveto; or, remain unsigned for ten days while Congress is in session) to become a law. Only joint resolutions may be used to propose amendments to theUnited States Constitution, and these do not require the approval of the President.[1] Laws enacted by joint resolutions are not distinguished from laws enacted by bills, except that they are designated as resolutions as opposed toActs of Congress (see for exampleWar Powers Resolution).
While either a bill or joint resolution can be used to create a law, the two generally have different purposes. Bills are generally used to add, repeal, or amend laws codified in theUnited States Code orStatutes at Large, and provide policy and program authorizations. Regular annual appropriations are enacted through bills. Conversely, joint resolutions generally are vehicles for purposes such as:[2]
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