Resolutions
A Resolution is a non-binding legislative measure generally used to express an opinion, set Congressional rules, or offer an award/recognition. The House of Representatives may pass a House Resolution by simple majority vote. The Senate may pass a Senate Resolution by simple majority vote. And the Congress can pass a Concurrent Resolution if both Houses approve that resolution by simple major it vote. Congress presents Resolutions to the President, but these resolutions hold no legal authority, and the President does not sign or veto these resolutions.
IN THE [HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES/SENATE] OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, [Mr/Mrs.] [Yourname((EX: Chuck))], for himself [and cosponsors, if any], offers A RESOLUTION To [say whatever the resolution says]. BE IT RESOLVED by [the House of Representatives/Senate] of the United States:
Section 1. Title.
This bill will be known and cited as the House/Senate Example Resolution of 2018.
Section 2. Sense of Congress.
It is the Sense of Congress that Brett Kingsley is the sexiest man on Earth.
Section 3. Award.
Congress does hereby award to Brett Kingsley the "Sexiest Man Alive" award.
IN THE [HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES/SENATE] OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, [Mr/Mrs.] [Yourname((EX: Chuck))], for himself [and cosponsors, if any], offers A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION To [say whatever the resolution says]. BE IT CONCURRENTLY RESOLVED by the House of Representatives and Senate of the United States in Congress Assembled:
Section 1. Title.
This bill will be known and cited as the Example Concurrent Resolution of 2018.
Section 2. Sense of Congress.
It is the Sense of Congress that Brett Kingsley is the sexiest man on Earth.
Section 3. Award.
Congress does hereby award to Brett Kingsley the "Sexiest Man Alive" award.
Acts
An Act of Congress is a binding legislative measure used to establish or amend a law. An Act of Congress is a statute, holding the force of law once enacted. Each House of Congress must approve an Act by majority vote for it to take effect. An Act of Congress takes effect only when signed by the President or enacted via a veto override.
IN THE [HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES/SENATE] OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, [Mr/Mrs.] [Yourname((EX: Chuck))], for himself [and cosponsors, if any], offers A BILL To [do whatever the bill seeks to do]. BE IT ENACTED by the House of Representatives and Senate of the United States in Congress Assembled:
SECTION 1. TITLE, EFFECT.
(a) This bill will be known and cited as the "Example Bill Act of 2018".
(b) This bill will take effect upon its enactment.
SECTION 2. RANDOM PROVISIONS.
(a) The Secretary of State is directed to --
(1) bla;
(2) bla bla bla; and
(3) bla bla bla bla bla.
(b) The Secretary of Defense will immediately yada yada yada.
SECTION 3. MORE RANDOM PROVISIONS.
The combination of "bla bla bla" and "yada yada yada" is hereby prohibited.
Joint Resolutions
A Joint Resolution is a binding legislative measure that holds the force of law if enacted, but that is used only for specific purposes. Congress generally uses Joint Resolutions to make one-time appropriations, to issue short-term orders to the executive, to correct typos in a recently passed bill, to ask the President to veto a recently passed bill, or to setup temporary commissions/committees (such as the 9/11 commission). Congress also uses Joint Resolutions for more august purposes such as authorizing continued spending in the absence of a budget, annexing territories, and declaring war. A Joint Resolution must be passed by a majority vote in each House of Congress, and must be signed by the President (or enacted via veto override).
A Joint Resolution may also be used to amend the Constitution. A Joint Resolution proposing a constitutional amendment must pass by a 2/3 vote. The amendment then must be ratified by 3/4 the states within seven years to take effect.
IN THE [HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES/SENATE] OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, [Mr/Mrs.] [Yourname((EX: Chuck))], for himself [and cosponsors, if any], offers A JOINT RESOLUTION To [do whatever the bill seeks to do]. BE IT JOINTY RESOLVED by the House of Representatives and Senate of the United States in Congress Assembled:
SECTION 1. TITLE, EFFECT.
(a) This bill will be known and cited as the "Example Joint Resolution of 2018".
(b) This bill will take effect upon its enactment.
SECTION 2. RANDOM PROVISIONS.
(a) The Example Act of 2018 is amended such that the "iz," in Section 8 is replaced with "is".
(b) The President is requested to veto the Example Act of 2019.
SECTION 3. MORE RANDOM PROVISIONS.
Congress does hereby establish a Special Commission on Dancing to issue a report within five years detailing the best form of dancing.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the [legislatures or conventions] of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission by the Congress, and which shall be known and cited in Congress as the "Presidential Amendment":
‘‘ARTICLE
‘‘SECTION 1. For purposes of representation in the Congress, election of the President and Vice President, and article V of this Constitution, the District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall be treated as though it were a State.
‘‘SEC. 2. The exercise of the rights and powers conferred under this article shall be by the people of the District constituting the seat of government, and as shall be provided by the Congress.
‘‘SEC. 3. The twenty-third article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
‘‘SEC. 4. This article shall be inoperative, unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.’’
