In the United States Congress, bills are typically read three times in each house, but the third reading is usually just a formality. In the House of Representatives, the first reading is usually done by the clerk of the House, while the second reading involves a reading of the bill by title only. The third reading, which takes place just before the final vote on the bill, involves a reading of the entire text of the bill. In the Senate, the first two readings are similar to those in the House, while the third reading is often waived and the bill is instead put directly to a vote after the second reading.