What happens when a bill passes through both chambers of Congress but has been amended in one chamber?

• A. The bill is sent to the President for approval
• B. A conference committee reconciles the differences
• C. Each chamber votes on the new version independently
• D. The bill is discarded and must be reintroduced

Answer: (B)

When a bill passes through both chambers of Congress but has been amended in one chamber, it typically goes to a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions. This committee is composed of members from both chambers and works to negotiate and produce a unified version of the bill that both chambers can agree upon. Once the conference committee reaches an agreement, the reconciled bill is then sent back to both the House and the Senate for approval.

This process is crucial for ensuring that both chambers can come to a consensus on the legislation before it is forwarded to the President for approval. If there were no conference committee, the inconsistencies between the chambers' versions could lead to confusion and conflicts in the lawmaking process, making it essential for effective governance.