<Li> Simple resolutions concern only the House or only the Senate and begin with "H. Res ." </Li> <P> Any member of Congress may introduce a bill at any time while the House is in session by placing it in the hopper on the Clerk's desk . A sponsor's signature is required, and there can be many co-sponsors . It's assigned a number by the Clerk . Then it's referred to a committee . Committees study each bill intensely at this stage . </P> <P> The most important executive communication is usually the president's annual message which contains a lengthy budget proposal . Drafting statutes is an art that requires "great skill, knowledge, and experience ." Congressional committees sometimes draft bills after studies and hearings covering periods of a year or more . A proposal may be introduced in Congress as a bill, a joint resolution, a concurrent resolution, or a simple resolution . Most legislative proposals are introduced as bills, but some are introduced as joint resolutions . There is little practical difference between the two, except that joint resolutions may include preambles but bills may not . Joint resolutions are the normal method used to propose a constitutional amendment or to declare war . On the other hand, concurrent resolutions (passed by both houses) and simple resolutions (passed by only one house) do not have the force of law . Instead, they serve to express the opinion of Congress, or to regulate procedure . In many cases, lobbyists write legislation and submit it to a member for introduction . Congressional lobbyists are legally required to be registered in a central database . </P> <P> Bills may be introduced by any member of either house . However, the Constitution provides that: "All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives ." As a result, the Senate does not have the power to initiate bills imposing taxes . Furthermore, the House of Representatives holds that the Senate does not have the power to originate appropriation bills, or bills authorizing the expenditure of federal funds . Historically, the Senate has disputed the interpretation advocated by the House . However, whenever the Senate originates an appropriations bill, the House simply refuses to consider it, thereby settling the dispute in practice . Nevertheless, while the Senate cannot originate revenue and appropriation bills, it does retain the power to amend or reject them . A congressional act in 1974 established procedures to try to establish appropriate annual spending levels . </P>

In each term of congress there are five regular sessions