Legal Definitions - concurrent resolution of Congress

A concurrent resolution is an agreement made by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is labeled "H.Con.Res." or "S.Con.Res." and is used to express the opinion of Congress on a particular issue or to establish rules for how Congress will operate. Unlike a joint resolution, a concurrent resolution does not have the force of law and is not signed by the President.

• A concurrent resolution to honor the memory of a fallen soldier
• A concurrent resolution to establish a joint committee to investigate a particular issue
• A concurrent resolution to allow the use of the Capitol Rotunda for a special ceremony

These examples illustrate how concurrent resolutions can be used for a variety of purposes. The first example shows how Congress can use a concurrent resolution to express its condolences and gratitude for the sacrifice of a member of the military. The second example shows how Congress can use a concurrent resolution to establish a committee to investigate a particular issue, such as government waste or corruption. The third example shows how Congress can use a concurrent resolution to allow the use of a particular space for a special event, such as a ceremony to honor a particular individual or group.