Research Guides: How to Find U. S. Congressional Bills and Resolutions: About Bills & Resolutions

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Bills and Resolutions ...

most common way that legislation is introduced
numbered in series for each Congress
if not acted on, they die at the end of the Congress during which they were introduced; most are never acted on
bills may undergo many markups (revisions) and number changes
amendments, related or not, may be attached to final legislation

Abbreviations used in the bill numbering system:

Senate
Bills (S.)
Resolutions (S. Res.)
Joint resolutions (S.J. Res.)
Concurrent resolutions (S. Con. Res.)

House
Bills (H.R.)
Resolutions (H. Res.)
Joint resolutions (H.J. Res.)
Concurrent resolutions (H. Con. Res.)