[20030331]98-380GOV_参议院与会者：他们的选择和权限.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 98-380 GOVUpdated March 31, 2003Senate Conferees: Their Selection andAuthorityElizabeth Rybicki and Stanley BachGovernment and Finance DivisionConference committees usually prepare the final versions of the most important billsthat Congress approves. Who the conferees are and what decisions they can make,therefore, can have an important effect on the outcome of the legislative process. Thisreport describes the selection and authority of Senate conferees. For more informationon legislative process, see http:/www.crs.gov/products/guides/guidehome.shtml .Selection of Senate Conferees. The Senate takes three steps whenever it wantsto go to conference with the House. First, the Senate either insists on its own position ordisagrees to the Houses position on the bill in question. Second, the Senate eitherrequests a conference with the House or agrees to such a request that the House alreadyhas made. And third, the Senate decides how it will select its conferees. Most often, the Senate takes all three steps at once, by unanimous consent, and,immediately thereafter, the presid