Joint Resolutions

• Author: Dennis J. Mahoney
• Pages: 1436-1437

Page 1436

Joint resolutions, unlike CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS, have the force of law and require the signature of the President

Page 1437

to be enacted. They are therefore subject to the VETO POWER. A joint resolution may be used when a permanent statutory enactment is inappropriate. Joint resolutions may be used to issue a DECLARATION OF WAR, to end a STATE OF WAR, to annex territory, or to extend the effective life of previously enacted legislation.

As part of the AMENDING PROCESS, joint resolutions are used to propose constitutional amendments. Such resolutions require a two-thirds vote in each house, but not the President's signature.

DENNIS J. MAHONEY

(1986)