JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Joint resolutions may originate either in the House of Representatives or in the Senate There is little practical difference between a bill and a joint resolution and the two forms are often used interchangeably. One difference in form is that a joint resolution may include a preamble preceding the resolving clause. Statutes that have been initiated as bills have later been amended by a joint resolution and vice versa. Both are subject to the same procedure except for a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution.
When a joint resolution amending the
Constitution is approved by two-thirds of both Houses, it is not presented to
the President for approval. Following congressional approval, a joint resolution
to amend the Constitution is sent directly to the Archivist of the
Joint resolutions, with the exception of proposed amendments to the
Constitution, become law in the same manner as bills.