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The House or Senate chamber where the Members of Congress sit to conduct legislative business is called "the floor." After a bill is reported from committee, the House or Senate is ready to consider the bill and take legislative action on it. Thus "floor action" refers to procedural actions taken during floor consideration of legislation, such as deciding on motions, and taking up, amending, and voting on measures.
Approximately 10,000 bills and resolutions are introduced in each (two-year) Congress. After a bill is introduced in either the House or Senate, it is usually sent to one or more committees of jurisdiction (i.e., committees charged with reviewing measures in the area of law or policy with which the bill is concerned). The committee(s) of referral most often sends the measure to its specialized subcommittee(s) for study, hearings, revisions and approval. The full House or Senate normally considers, debates, and votes on a bill or resolution only after the committee reports it back to the full House or Senate with a favorable recommendation.
On most major policy issues, many bills are normally introduced dealing with the same subject. Partly for this reason, only about ten percent of bills introduced are ever reported back to the House or Senate for further consideration. Congressional actions on bills after they are reported from committee are referred to as "floor action."