From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms
Simple Resolution
Resolution / Simple Resolution: Sentiment of one chamber on an issue, or a measure to carry out the administrative or procedural business of the chamber. Does not become law. Designated as H. Res. or S. Res.
A simple resolution deals with the internal workings of only one chamber or with nonbinding public-policy statements. Designated “S. Res.” or “H. Res.“, simple resolutions are used to express nonbinding positions of the Senate or House, or to deal with that chamber’s internal affairs, such as the creation of a special committee. Special rules from the House Rules Committee, the creation of a select and special committee, and funding resolutions for individual committees are in the form of simple resolutions. They do not require action by the other chamber. They are not sent to the president, and they do not become law.
Also see
- § 6.10 Types of Measures, § 6.90 Rules Committee and Special Rules, § 6.100 Consideration of a Special Rule on the House Floor, § 9.10 Types of Documents, in Congressional Deskbook
- § 5.30 The Simple Resolution, in Legislative Drafter’s Deskbook
- Chapter 2.H. Simple Resolutions; Chapter 3.F. Amendment Procedure; Chapter 7.H. Appropriations; Chapter 8.D. Treaties; Chapter 8.G. Impeachment and Trial; in Congressional Procedure
Sen. Rand Paul Speaks on Sense of the Senate Resolution
More
- “‘Sense of’ Resolutions and Provisions,” CRS Report 98-825 (5-page PDF
) - “House Committee Markups: Manual of Procedures and Procedural Strategies,” CRS Report R41083 (220-page PDF)
- “Budget Enforcement Procedures: The Senate Pay-As-You-Go (PayGO) Rule,” CRS Report RL31943 (28-page PDF)
- “Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2017,” CRS Report R40879 (86-page PDF)
- “The First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the Senate Floor,” CRS Report RS20722 (14-page PDF)
- “Deeming Resolutions: Budget Enforcement in the Absence of a Budget Resolution,” CRS Report R44296 (26-page PDF)
- “How Legislation Is Brought to the House Floor: A Snapshot of Parliamentary Practice in the 114th Congress (2015-2016),” CRS Report R44734 (15-page PDF)
- “Provisions Affecting the Congressional Budget Process Included in H.Res. 5 (115th Congress),” CRS Report R44769 (11-page PDF)
- “Bills, Resolutions, Nominations, and Treaties: Characteristics and Examples of Use,” CRS Report R46603 (14-page PDF)
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