Non-binding resolution
A non-binding resolution is a motion by a legislative body that states an opinion but does not create or change any law. It shows what the body thinks about a fact or event and is often used when the issue is outside their legal authority or protected by the constitution. For example, a resolution expressing support for troops in battle carries moral weight but no legal power.
These resolutions are usually simple or concurrent and are not sent to the executive branch to be signed into law. They differ from pure concurrent resolutions, which handle only procedural matters, because non-binding resolutions are meant to express opinions, not start a process. They let elected officials publicly share the concerns of their constituents and are often covered by the media. They can also signal how the legislature might vote on future laws or budgets.
In the U.S. Congress, non-binding resolutions are often called "Sense of Congress" when both houses pass them (a concurrent resolution), or "Sense of the Senate" or "Sense of the House" when only one house passes them (a simple resolution). A "sense of Congress" clause can also appear in laws to urge the executive branch to act, for example by directing how certain responsibilities should be carried out.
State legislatures across the United States also frequently adopt non-binding resolutions.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 05:35 (CET).