Which describes a conference committee?

• A. A committee that oversees budget deficits
• B. A joint committee that monitors election procedures
• C. A committee that drafts regulatory rules for agencies
• D. A committee that resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill

Answer: (D)

A conference committee is a temporary joint committee formed to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill. When the two chambers pass different text, members from both chambers negotiate to produce a single, compromise bill. They draft a conference report, which both chambers must approve before sending the bill to the president for signature. This role—bridging the gaps between the two houses’ versions—is what sets a conference committee apart from other committees that handle budgeting, elections, or rulemaking.