{{Short description|United States legislative term}} {{Use American English|date=June 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2026}} In the United States Congress, a '''conference report''' refers to the final version of a bill that is negotiated between the House of Representatives and the Senate via a conference committee. This report is crucial in resolving differences between the two chambers' versions of a bill, ensuring that a unified and consistent piece of legislation can be presented for final approval.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL20261 |title=The Legislative Process on the House Floor: An Introduction |publisher=Congressional Research Service |date=2017-02-21 |accessdate=2024-05-18}}</ref> It is printed and submitted to each chamber for its consideration, such as approval or disapproval. It contains a '''statement of managers''', a section-by-section explanation of the agreement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.c-span.org/guide/congress/glossary/confrepo.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000111035721/http://www.c-span.org/guide/congress/glossary/confrepo.htm |archive-date=2000-01-11 |title=CONFERENCE REPORT |website=C-SPAN Congressional Glossary |publisher=C-SPAN}} </ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Gold|first=Martin B.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dyFH-swq8xIC&dq=statement+of+managers&pg=PA127|title=Senate Procedure and Practice|date=2008-06-27|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-0-7425-6342-1|language=en}}</ref>

==Historical Background== The practice of using conference reports dates back to the early years of the United States Congress. Conference committees were established as a means to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of legislation, a necessity for ensuring smooth legislative processes.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Steven S. |last2=Roberts |first2=Jason M. |last3=Vander Wielen |first3=Ryan J. |date=2013 |chapter=6 — The Standing Committees |title=The American Congress |edition=8th |publisher=Cambridge University Press |page=177 |doi=10.1017/CBO9781107337749.007 |isbn=978-1-107-33774-9}}</ref> Over time, the procedures and rules governing conference reports have evolved, reflecting changes in congressional operations and advancements in technology.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt |title=About Congressional Reports |publisher=Government Publishing Office |accessdate=2024-05-18 |archive-date=2024-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516055926/https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Purpose and Significance== The primary purpose of a conference report is to resolve legislative disagreements between the House and Senate.<ref>{{cite book |title=Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process |last=Oleszek |first=Walter J. |edition=9th |publisher=CQ Press |date=2014 |page=245 |isbn=978-1-4522-2603-3}}</ref> This process is essential for creating coherent and effective laws. Conference reports facilitate compromise and collaboration, enabling legislators to address concerns and incorporate diverse perspectives.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/common/briefing/Conference_Committees.htm |title=Conference Committees |publisher=United States Senate |accessdate=2024-05-18}}</ref> The final version of a bill included in a conference report often represents a balanced approach that can gain broader support.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Filson |first1=Lawrence E. |last2=Strokoff |first2=Sandra L. |date=2013 |title=The Legislative Drafter's Desk Reference |edition=2nd |publisher=CQ Press |page=155 |isbn=978-0-87289-411-2}}</ref>

==Publication Procedure== An amendment to Rule XXVIII of the Standing Rules of the United States Senate states: ::9(a)(1) It shall not be in order to vote on the adoption of a report of a committee of conference unless such report has been available to Members and to the general public for at least 48 hours before such vote. If a point of order is sustained under this paragraph, then the conference report shall be set aside.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/common/briefing/Standing_Rules_Senate.htm |title=Standing Rules of the Senate |publisher=United States Senate |accessdate=2024-05-18 |archive-date=2018-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726032704/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/common/briefing/Standing_Rules_Senate.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Normally, conference reports are printed and made available online in the Congressional Record the day after they have been filed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt |title=About Congressional Reports |publisher=Government Publishing Office |accessdate=2024-05-18 |archive-date=2024-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516055926/https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt |url-status=live }}</ref> In those cases when the Government Publishing Office (GPO) is unable to print a conference report the next day, the GPO will scan the manuscript and post the searchable PDF of the manuscript on this web page. Otherwise, links to the conference reports as they appear in the Congressional Record will be posted on this web page.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt |title=About Congressional Reports |publisher=Government Publishing Office |accessdate=2024-05-18 |archive-date=2024-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516055926/https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Examples of Notable Conference Reports== Notable conference reports have played critical roles in shaping significant legislation. For instance, the conference report for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was a key document that reconciled differences between the House and Senate versions of the tax reform bill, leading to major changes in the U.S. tax code.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1/text |title=H.R.1 - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act |publisher=Congress.gov |accessdate=2024-05-18 |archive-date=2021-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220041511/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1/text |url-status=live }}</ref> Another example is the conference report for the Affordable Care Act, which helped finalize the landmark healthcare reform legislation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3590 |title=H.R.3590 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act |publisher=Congress.gov |accessdate=2024-05-18 |archive-date=2024-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517163353/https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3590 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Current Practices and Digital Access== In recent years, the process of handling conference reports has become more transparent and accessible, largely due to digital advancements.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt |title=About Congressional Reports |publisher=Government Publishing Office |accessdate=2024-05-18 |archive-date=2024-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516055926/https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt |url-status=live }}</ref> The Government Publishing Office (GPO) now ensures that conference reports are promptly made available online, typically in the Congressional Record the day after filing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt |title=About Congressional Reports |publisher=Government Publishing Office |accessdate=2024-05-18 |archive-date=2024-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516055926/https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt |url-status=live }}</ref> If immediate printing is not possible, the GPO scans the manuscript and posts a searchable PDF online. This practice enhances public access and allows for greater scrutiny and understanding of legislative processes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt |title=About Congressional Reports |publisher=Government Publishing Office |accessdate=2024-05-18 |archive-date=2024-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516055926/https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References== <references/>

==External links== * [https://www.govinfo.gov/help/crpt About Congressional Reports – Government Publishing Office] * [https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL20261 The Legislative Process on the House Floor: An Introduction – Congressional Research Service] * [https://www.senate.gov/legislative/common/briefing/Standing_Rules_Senate.htm Standing Rules of the Senate – U.S. Senate]

Category:Legislative branch of the United States government