the national administrative governing body of the U.S. federal court system. It is composed of 26 federal judges and the chief justice of the United States, who is the presiding officer. Acting as a body of general oversight and recommendation, the conference studies the workings of different courts, their budgets and workloads, and matters concerning the health and good conduct of judges. The conference, which meets twice a year, makes annual recommendations to Congress (Congress of the United States) concerning legislation affecting the judiciary and proposes amendments to the federal rules of practice and procedure.