What is a conference committee?

In the United States, a conference committee is an interim body that is assembled to settle bicameral differences in the passing of a major legislative bill. The committee is comprised of three delegates from the House of Representatives and three delegates from the Senate.

There are instances when the two chambers of the legislative branch of government do not agree on a proposed legislature. These disagreements must be resolved before a bill becomes a law, thus a conference committee is convened. The conferees negotiate and form a compromise, which is then submitted as a conference report. The report cannot be modified and is only subject for approval or rejection.