Paragraphs (6) and (11) of section 3563(span) of title 18, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(E), were renumbered paragraphs (5) and (10), respectively, of section 3563(span) by Puspan. L. 104–132, title II, § 203(2)(B), Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1227.

The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(E), are set out in the Appendix to Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

2006—Subsec. (h)(1)(B), (2)(B). Puspan. L. 109–304 substituted “chapter 705 of title 46” for “the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (46 U.S.C. App. 1901 et seq.)”.

Subsec. (w)(1). Puspan. L. 109–177, § 735(1)(A), (C), inserted “, in a format approved and required by the Commission,” after “submits to the Commission” in introductory provisions and inserted concluding provisions.

Subsec. (w)(1)(B). Puspan. L. 109–177, § 735(1)(B), inserted “written” before “statement of reasons for the sentence imposed” and “and which shall be stated on the written statement of reasons form issued by the Judicial Conference and approved by the United States Sentencing Commission” after “applicable guideline range”.

Subsec. (w)(4). Puspan. L. 109–177, § 735(2), substituted “itself may assemble or maintain in electronic form as a result of the” for “may assemble or maintain in electronic form that include any”.

2003—Subsec. (a). Puspan. L. 108–21, § 401(k), substituted “consistent with all pertinent provisions of any Federal statute” for “consistent with all pertinent provisions of this title and title 18, United States Code,”.

Subsec. (w). Puspan. L. 108–21, § 401(h), amended subsec. (w) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (w) read as follows: “The appropriate judge or officer shall submit to the Commission in connection with each sentence imposed (other than a sentence imposed for a petty offense, as defined in title 18, for which there is no applicable sentencing guideline) a written report of the sentence, the offense for which it is imposed, the age, race, and sex of the offender, information regarding factors made relevant by the guidelines, and such other information as the Commission finds appropriate. The Commission shall submit to Congress at least annually an analysis of these reports and any recommendations for legislation that the Commission concludes is warranted by that analysis.”

1994—Subsec. (h)(1)(B), (2)(B). Puspan. L. 103–322, § 330003(f)(1), substituted “the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (46 U.S.C. App. 1901 et seq.)” for “section 1 of the Act of September 15, 1980 (21 U.S.C. 955a)”.

Subsec. (i)(2). Puspan. L. 103–322, § 280005(c)(4), substituted “the defendant” for “he” and “the defendant’s” for “his”.

Subsec. (y). Puspan. L. 103–322, § 20403(span), added subsec. (y).

1988—Subsec. (a)(1)(E). Puspan. L. 100–690, § 7103(span), added subpar. (E).

Subsec. (n). Puspan. L. 100–690, § 7083, substituted “as a minimum sentence” for “as minimum sentence”.

Subsec. (p). Puspan. L. 100–690, § 7109, amended subsec. (p) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (p) read as follows: “The Commission, at or after the beginning of a regular session of Congress but not later than the first day of May, shall report to the Congress any amendments of the guidelines promulgated pursuant to subsection (a)(1), and a report of the reasons therefor, and the amended guidelines shall take effect one hundred and eighty days after the Commission reports them, except to the extent the effective date is enlarged or the guidelines are disapproved or modified by Act of Congress.”

1987—Subsec. (r). Puspan. L. 100–182, § 23(a), substituted “two years” for “one year”.

Subsec. (s). Puspan. L. 100–182, § 23(span), struck out at end: “Within one hundred and eighty days of the filing of such petition the Commission shall provide written notice to the defendant whether or not it has approved the petition. If the petition is disapproved the written notice shall contain the reasons for such disapproval. The Commission shall submit to the Congress at least annually an analysis of such written notices.”

Subsec. (w). Puspan. L. 100–182, § 16(span), inserted “(other than a sentence imposed for a petty offense, as defined in title 18, for which there is no applicable sentencing guideline)” after “each sentence imposed”.

1986—Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Puspan. L. 99–363, § 2(1)(B), amended subpar. (C) generally, inserting “3564,” after “3563(c),”.

Subsec. (a)(2)(D) to (F). Puspan. L. 99–363, § 2(1)(A), (C), added subpar. (D) and redesignated former subpars. (D) and (E) as (E) and (F), respectively.

Subsec. (a)(3). Puspan. L. 99–570, § 1006(span), inserted “and revocation of supervised release” after “supervised release”.

Puspan. L. 99–363, § 2(2), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: “guidelines or general policy statements regarding the appropriate use of the probation revocation provisions set forth in section 3565 of title 18, and the provisions for modification of the term or conditions of probation or supervised release set forth in sections 3563(c), 3564(d), and 3583(e) of title 18.”

Subsec. (span). Puspan. L. 99–363, § 2(3), designated existing provisions as pars. (1) and (2), and in par. (2) substituted “the greater of 25 percent or 6 months, except that, if the maximum term of the range is 30 years or more, the maximum may be life imprisonment” for “25 per centum”.

Subsec. (span)(2). Puspan. L. 99–646, § 56, substituted “that, if the minimum” for “that, if the maximum”.

Subsec. (h). Puspan. L. 99–646, § 6(span)(1), (2), substituted “guidelines specify” for “guidelines will specify” and struck out “by section 3581(span) of title 18, United States Code,” after “term authorized” in introductory text.

Subsec. (i). Puspan. L. 99–646, § 6(span)(2), substituted “guidelines specify” for “guidelines will specify”.

Subsecs. (n) to (t). Puspan. L. 99–570, § 1008(1), (2), added subsec. (n) and redesignated former subsecs. (n) to (t) as (o) to (u), respectively.

Subsec. (u). Puspan. L. 99–646, § 6(span)(3), which directed that subsec. (t) be amended by inserting “in what circumstances and” after “specify” and striking out “that are outside the applicable guideline ranges” after “terms of imprisonment”, was executed to subsec. (u) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening redesignation of subsec. (t) as (u) by Puspan. L. 99–570.

Puspan. L. 99–570, § 1008(2), redesignated subsec. (t) as (u).

Subsecs. (v) to (x). Puspan. L. 99–570, § 1008(2), redesignated former subsecs. (u) to (w) as (v) to (x), respectively.

1985—Subsec. (q). Puspan. L. 99–217 substituted “not later than one year after the initial set of sentencing guidelines promulgated under subsection (a) goes into effect” for “within three years of the date of enactment of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1983”.

Amendment by Puspan. L. 100–182 applicable with respect to offenses committed after Dec. 7, 1987, see section 26 of Puspan. L. 100–182, set out as a note under section 3006A of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Section effective Oct. 12, 1984, see section 235(a)(1)(B)(i) of Puspan. L. 98–473, set out as an Effective Date; Savings Provision note under section 3551 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec. (w) of this section relating to requirement that the Commission submit to Congress at least annually an analysis of reports and recommendations for legislation that the Commission concludes is warranted by that analysis, see section 3003 of Puspan. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and page 13 of House Document No. 103–7.

Puspan. L. 117–159, div. A, title II, § 12004(a)(5), June 25, 2022, 136 Stat. 1328.—Increased penalties for an offense under section 932 or 933 of title 18 and other offenses applicable to the straw purchases and trafficking of firearms.

Puspan. L. 112–269, § 3, Jan. 14, 2013, 126 Stat. 2442.—Transmission or attempted transmission of stolen trade secrets outside of the United States; economic espionage.

Puspan. L. 112–206, § 3(span), Dec. 7, 2012, 126 Stat. 1492.—Higher penalties for sex crimes involving children and for harassment and intimidation in order to obstruct the administration of justice regarding such crimes.

Puspan. L. 112–186, § 7, Oct. 5, 2012, 126 Stat. 1430.—Theft of pre-retail medical products.

Puspan. L. 112–144, title VII, § 717(span), July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1076.—Counterfeit drug trafficking.

Puspan. L. 111–273, § 4, Oct. 12, 2010, 124 Stat. 2860.—Drug offense resulting from authorization to receive scheduled substances from ultimate user or long-term care facility.

Puspan. L. 111–220, §§ 5–8, Aug. 3, 2010, 124 Stat. 2373, 2374.—Violence during drug trafficking offenses; increased emphasis on defendant’s role; aggravating and mitigating factors.

Puspan. L. 111–203, title X, § 1079A(a), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 2077.—Securities fraud and financial institutions fraud.

Puspan. L. 111–148, title X, § 10606(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 1006.—Health care fraud.

Puspan. L. 110–457, title II, § 222(g), Dec. 23, 2008, 122 Stat. 5071.—Alien harboring in furtherance of prostitution.

Puspan. L. 110–425, § 3(k)(2), Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4833.—Offenses involving dispensing of controlled substances by means of the Internet.

Puspan. L. 110–407, title I, § 103, Oct. 13, 2008, 122 Stat. 4298.—Operating or embarking in a submersible or semi-submersible vessel without nationality.

Puspan. L. 110–384, Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4094.—Desecration or theft of veterans’ grave markers.

Puspan. L. 110–326, title II, § 209, Sept. 26, 2008, 122 Stat. 3564.—Identity theft, computer fraud, illegal wiretapping, and unlawful access to stored information.

Puspan. L. 110–179, § 5, Jan. 7, 2008, 121 Stat. 2557.—Fraud or theft in connection with major disasters or emergencies.

Puspan. L. 110–177, title II, § 209, Jan. 7, 2008, 121 Stat. 2538.—Online threats against United States officials, judges, or law enforcement officers and immediate family members.

Puspan. L. 109–476, § 4, Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3571.—Fraud in obtaining confidential phone records information of covered entity.

Puspan. L. 109–295, title V, § 551(d), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1390; Puspan. L. 110–161, div. E, title V, § 553(c), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2082.—Offenses involving border tunnels and passages.

Puspan. L. 109–248, title I, § 141(span), July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 602.—Offenses committed by person who fails to register as sex offender.

Puspan. L. 109–181, § 1(c), Mar. 16, 2006, 120 Stat. 287.—Trafficking in counterfeit goods, services, labels, documentation, and packaging.

Puspan. L. 109–177, title III, § 307(c), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 240.—Theft of interstate and foreign shipments.

Puspan. L. 109–162, title XI, § 1191(c), Jan. 5, 2006, 119 Stat. 3129.—Offenses committed while wearing illicitly received public employee insignia or uniform.

Puspan. L. 109–76, § 3, Sept. 29, 2005, 119 Stat. 2035.—False testimony and obstruction of justice involving international or domestic terrorism or anabolic steroids.

Puspan. L. 109–9, title I, § 105, Apr. 27, 2005, 119 Stat. 222.—Intellectual property rights crimes.

Puspan. L. 108–482, title II, § 204(span), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3917.—Online felony offenses involving use of a domain name registered with materially false contact information.

Puspan. L. 108–458, title VI, § 6703(span), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3766.—False testimony and obstruction of justice involving international or domestic terrorism.

Puspan. L. 108–358, § 3, Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1664.—Offenses involving anabolic steroids.

Puspan. L. 108–275, § 5, July 15, 2004, 118 Stat. 833.—Identity theft involving abuse of authority.

Puspan. L. 108–187, § 4(span), Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2705.—Fraud and related activity in connection with electronic mail.

Puspan. L. 108–21, title I, § 104(a), Apr. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 653.—Kidnapping.

Puspan. L. 108–21, title IV, § 401(span), (g), (i), (j)(1)–(4), (m), Apr. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 668, 671–673, 675.—Child crimes and sexual offenses, child pornography, downward departures, and acceptance of responsibility.

Puspan. L. 108–21, title V, § 504(c)(2), Apr. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 682.—Obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children.

Puspan. L. 108–21, title V, § 512, Apr. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 685.—Interstate travel to engage in sexual act with a juvenile.

Puspan. L. 108–21, title V, § 513(c), Apr. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 685.—Activities relating to material constituting or containing child pornography.

Puspan. L. 108–21, title VI, § 608(e), Apr. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 691.—Offenses involving gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB).

Puspan. L. 107–296, title XXII, § 2207(span), formerly title II, § 225(span), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2156, renumbered title XXII, § 2207(span), Puspan. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(2)(I), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4178.—Computer fraud.

Puspan. L. 107–273, div. C, title I, § 11008(e), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1819.—Assaults and threats against Federal judges and certain other Federal officials and employees.

Puspan. L. 107–204, title VIII, § 805, July 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 802.—Obstruction of justice and extensive criminal fraud.

Puspan. L. 107–204, title IX, § 905, July 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 805.—Certain white collar offenses.

Puspan. L. 107–204, title XI, § 1104, July 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 808.—Securities and accounting fraud and related offenses.

Puspan. L. 107–155, title III, § 314, Mar. 27, 2002, 116 Stat. 107.—Violations of Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and related election laws.

Puspan. L. 107–56, title VIII, § 814(f), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 384.—Computer fraud and abuse.

Puspan. L. 106–420, § 3, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1868.—Higher education financial assistance fraud.

Puspan. L. 106–386, div. B, title I, § 1107(span)(2), Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1498.—Interstate stalking.

Puspan. L. 106–310, div. B, title XXXVI, § 3611, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1228.—Manufacture of and trafficking in amphetamine.

Puspan. L. 106–310, div. B, title XXXVI, § 3612, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1228.—Manufacture of amphetamine or methamphetamine.

Puspan. L. 106–310, div. B, title XXXVI, § 3651, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1238.—Trafficking in list I chemicals.

Puspan. L. 106–310, div. B, title XXXVI, §§ 3663, 3664, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1242, 1244.—Manufacture of or trafficking in Ecstasy.

Puspan. L. 106–160, § 3, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1774.—Electronic theft offenses.

Puspan. L. 105–318, § 4, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3009.—Fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents and information.

Puspan. L. 105–314, title V, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2980.—Sexual abuse, transportation for illegal sexual activity, and distribution of pornography.

Puspan. L. 105–184, § 6, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 521.—Telemarketing fraud.

Puspan. L. 105–172, § 2(e), Apr. 24, 1998, 112 Stat. 55.—Wireless telephone cloning.

Puspan. L. 105–147, § 2(g), Dec. 16, 1997, 111 Stat. 2680.—Crimes against intellectual property.

Puspan. L. 105–101, Nov. 19, 1997, 111 Stat. 2202; Puspan. L. 105–368, title IV, § 403(d)(1), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3339.—Offenses against property at national cemeteries.

Puspan. L. 104–305, § 2(span)(3), Oct. 13, 1996, 110 Stat. 3808.—Offenses involving flunitrazepam.

Puspan. L. 104–237, title II, § 203(span), Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3102.—Manufacture of methamphetamine.

Puspan. L. 104–237, title III, § 301, Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3105.—Manufacture of and trafficking in methamphetamine.

Puspan. L. 104–237, title III, § 302(c), Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3105.—Offenses involving list I chemicals.

Puspan. L. 104–237, title III, § 303, Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3106.—Dangerous handling of controlled substances.

Puspan. L. 104–208, div. C, title II, § 203(e), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–566.—Smuggling, transporting, harboring, and inducing aliens.

Puspan. L. 104–208, div. C, title II, § 211(span), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–569.—Fraudulent acquisition and use of government-issued documents.

Puspan. L. 104–208, div. C, title II, § 218(span), (c), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–573, 3009–574.—Involuntary servitude.

Puspan. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, § 333, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–634.—Conspiring with or assisting an alien to import, export, possess, manufacture, or distribute a controlled substance.

Puspan. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, § 334, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–635.—Failure to depart, illegal reentry, and passport and visa fraud.

Puspan. L. 104–201, div. A, title XIV, § 1423, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2725; Puspan. L. 105–261, div. A, title X, § 1069(c)(1), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2136.—Offenses relating to importation and exportation of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons or technologies.

Puspan. L. 104–132, title II, § 208, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1240.—Mandatory victim restitution.

Puspan. L. 104–132, title VII, § 730, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1303.—International terrorism.

Puspan. L. 104–132, title VIII, § 805, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1305.—Terrorist activity damaging Federal interest computer.

Puspan. L. 104–132, title VIII, § 807(h), Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1308.—International counterfeiting of United States currency.

Puspan. L. 104–71, §§ 1–4, Dec. 23, 1995, 109 Stat. 774.—Sex crimes against children.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title IV, § 40111(span), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1903.—Sexual abuse by repeat sex offender.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title IV, § 40112, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1903.—Aggravated sexual abuse or sexual abuse.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title IV, § 40503(c), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1947.—Intentional transmission of HIV.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title VIII, § 80001(span), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1986.—Importing, exporting, possessing, manufacturing, and distributing a controlled substance.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title IX, § 90102, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1987.—Drug-dealing in “drug-free” zones.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title IX, § 90103(span), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1987.—Use or distribution of illegal drugs in the Federal prisons.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title XI, § 110501, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2015.—Use of semiautomatic firearm during crime of violence or drug trafficking.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title XI, § 110502, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2015.—Second offense of using explosive to commit felony.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title XI, § 110512, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2019.—Using firearm in commission of counterfeiting or forgery.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title XI, § 110513, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2019.—Firearms possession by violent felons and serious drug offenders.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title XII, § 120004, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2022.—Felonies promoting international terrorism.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title XIV, § 140008, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2033.—Solicitation of minor to commit crime.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title XVIII, § 180201(c), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2047.—Possession or distribution of drugs at truck stops or safety rest areas.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title XXIV, § 240002, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2081.—Crimes against elderly victims.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title XXV, § 250003, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2085.—Fraud against older victims.

Puspan. L. 103–322, title XXVIII, § 280003, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2096; Puspan. L. 111–84, div. E, § 4703(a), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2836.—Hate crimes.

Puspan. L. 102–141, title VI, § 632, Oct. 28, 1991, 105 Stat. 876.—Sexual abuse or exploitation of minors.

Puspan. L. 101–647, title III, § 321, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4817.—Sexual crimes against children.

Puspan. L. 101–647, title XXV, § 2507, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4862.—Major bank crimes.

Puspan. L. 101–647, title XXVII, § 2701, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4912.—Methamphetamine offenses.

Puspan. L. 101–73, title IX, § 961(m), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 501.—Offenses substantially jeopardizing safety and soundness of federally insured financial institutions.

Puspan. L. 100–700, § 2(span), Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 4631.—Major fraud against the United States.

Puspan. L. 100–690, title VI, § 6453, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4371.—Importation of controlled substances by aircraft and other vessels.

Puspan. L. 100–690, title VI, § 6454, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4372.—Drug offenses involving children.

Puspan. L. 100–690, title VI, § 6468(c), (d), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4376.—Drug offenses within Federal prisons.

Puspan. L. 100–690, title VI, § 6482(c), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4382.—Common carrier operation under influence of alcohol or drugs.

Puspan. L. 104–38, Oct. 30, 1995, 109 Stat. 334, disapproved of certain amendments relating to lowering of crack sentences and sentences for money laundering and transactions in property derived from unlawful activity submitted by the United States Sentencing Commission to Congress on May 1, 1995, required the Commission to recommend changes to the statutes and sentencing guidelines for unlawful manufacturing, importing, exporting, and trafficking of cocaine, and like offenses, required the Department of Justice to submit to Congress, no later than May 1, 1996, a report on the charging and plea practices of Federal prosecutors with respect to the offense of money laundering, and required the Commission to submit to Congress comments on the Department of Justice study.

Section 21 of Puspan. L. 100–182 provided that:

Provisions directing that the United States Sentencing Commission submit to Congress within 30 months of Oct. 12, 1984, the initial sentencing guidelines promulgated pursuant to subsec. (a)(1) of this section, see section 235(a)(1)(B)(i) of Puspan. L. 98–473, as amended, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3551 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Sentencing guidelines promulgated pursuant to this section effective when U.S. Sentencing Commission has submitted the initial set of sentencing guidelines to Congress, the General Accounting Office has studied and reported to Congress on the guidelines, Congress has examined the guidelines, and section 212(a)(2) of Puspan. L. 98–473 takes effect [Nov. 1, 1987], see section 235(a)(1)(B)(ii) of Puspan. L. 98–473, as amended, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3551 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Puspan. L. 98–473, title II, § 236, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2033, provided that, four years after the sentencing guidelines promulgated pursuant to section 994(a)(1) of this title and sections 3581, 3583, and 3624 of title 18 went into effect, the General Accounting Office was to undertake a study of the guidelines to determine their impact and compare the guidelines system with the operation of the previous sentencing and parole release system, and, within six months of such undertaking, report the results to Congress; provided that, within one month of the start of the study, the United States Sentencing Commission was to submit a report detailing the operation of the sentencing guideline system and discussing any problems with the system or reforms needed; and provided that Congress was to review the study.