Joint resolution definition
joint resolution is a congressional measure that passes both chambers and is commonly used for funding, military action, and amendments.
A joint resolution is a particular type of Congressional measure that must pass in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. In most cases, it follows the same legislative process as a bill and then becomes law with the same force as a standard bill.
Joint resolutions are typically used for a narrow set of purposes: stopgap government funding, authorizing military force, overturning federal agency rules, and proposing Constitutional amendments. They originate in either chamber; they’re designated H.J.Res. when introduced in the House and S.J.Res. in the Senate.
Why does Congress use a joint resolution instead of a bill?
Mostly convention. House Legislative Counsel says Congress "chooses between bills and joint resolutions using conventions that have developed over time for the subject matter involved."
Those conventions fall into a few buckets:
- Stopgap funding. A continuing resolution keeps agencies running when Congress has not finished its appropriations bills.
- Military force. The 1941 declaration of war on Japan was S.J.Res. 116. The 2001 authorization to use military force after September 11 was S.J.Res. 23.
- Overturning agency rules. The Congressional Review Act lets Congress cancel a federal regulation with a joint resolution of disapproval. Senate debate is capped at 10 hours, so it cannot be filibustered.
- Ending a national emergency. The National Emergencies Act says an emergency ends when Congress enacts "a joint resolution terminating the emergency."
- Constitutional amendments. These go to the states for ratification, not to the President.
Joint resolution vs. bill
A joint resolution and a bill follow nearly the same legislative process. Both measures must be:
- Introduced in either the House or Senate
- Passed by both chambers of Congress
- Presented to the President for signature or veto
(Constitutional amendments are an exception: amendments are not presented to the President once passed by both houses, but go directly to the states for ratification.)
The main differences are related to format and common uses:
Bills
- Most common form of legislation
- Often used for broad or permanent statutory changes
- Identified as H.R. (House bill) or S. (Senate bill)
Joint resolutions
- Used for the narrower set of purposes outlined above, including continuing appropriations
- Identified as H.J.Res. (House) or S.J.Res. (Senate)
Do joint resolutions need a presidential signature?
Yes, joint resolutions — other than those proposing constitutional amendments — require the President’s signature to become law.
Can a joint resolution become law?
Yes. A joint resolution becomes law if it is passed by both chambers of Congress and signed by the President. If the President vetoes a resolution, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, just like it can with a bill.
Once enacted, a joint resolution has the same legal force as a law created through a bill.
Are there other kinds of resolutions?
Congress uses three types of resolutions. Along with joint resolutions, it can pass:
1. Concurrent resolutions
A resolution passed by both the House and Senate but not sent to the President. Concurrent resolutions do not have the force of law and are often for internal administrative issues like setting the congressional budget or managing matters affecting both chambers.
2. Simple resolutions
A resolution adopted by only one chamber of Congress. It is typically used for internal chamber business or to express the sentiment of that chamber, and does not become law.
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