For bills introduced in both houses, two numbers are assigned. Committee Reports are generally considered one of the most useful document in a legislative history. In Hearings , witnesses give prepared statements and answer questions of the committee members. Hearings may include exhibits of interested parties and the text of the bill. Hearings are not held on all legislation or may have been heard during a previous session of Congress.
Hearings are generally less important than committee reports.
If the bill is recommended, a Committee Report is produced . Committee prints are background information, statistics, historical, scientific or social data on specific subjects prepared for use of the committee members. Floor debates are not weighted very heavily as persuasive material. Sponsors and committee members may correct misleading statements from the floor. Suggested amendments that may not have been previously considered in committee may appear here for the first time as well as additional discussion for and against the proposed legislation.