Conference Committee

Written by Jonathan Milner

Definition

A temporary committee of House and Senate members that works out differences between the two chambers' versions of a bill. Both chambers must then pass the compromise version.

Example

In recent years Congress has used conference committees less often, frequently sending amended bills back and forth between the chambers instead.

 

Questions

  1. Define conference committee and explain why one is needed.

  2. Explain how bicameralism creates the need for conference committees.

  3. Describe what happens to a conference committee's compromise bill after it is written.

  4. Explain why conference committees have been called the "third house" of Congress.

  5. Identify who chooses the members of a conference committee.

  6. Explain one reason Congress might skip a conference committee.

  7. Describe how a conference committee fits into the steps of how a bill becomes a law.

  8. Is it fair that a small group of members can reshape a bill at this stage? Explain.

  9. What emoji would do a good job of expressing the concept conference committee?

  10. Translate conference committee into plain English.

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw a conference committee! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

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Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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