Policy News
Policy News
Currently in Congress
This fortnightly update of selected current events in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate is compiled by Amy Bell Mulaudzi, Director: American Library in Cape Town.
This service in currently not being updated.
VIEW THE LATEST, NOV 15 - DEC 15, 2008 (PDF FORMAT)
Bills can be introduced in either the House or Senate but must pass in identical versions in both chambers before being presented to the President for signing into law. If the House and Senate disagree on a bill, a conference committee is appointed to reconcile the differences. The conference version then goes back to both houses for a vote.
Bill status and texts can be found at Thomas.
To learn more about the powers of the House and Senate, the qualifications of members, the various officers of Congress, the committee process, their investigative powers, and more, see The Legislative Branch: the Reach of Congress, Chapter 4, Outline of the U.S. Government, International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.