The Commission promulgates sentencing guidelines, subject to congressional review, that prescribe the appropriate form and severity of punishment for offenders convicted of Federal crimes. The agency's activities are directed by seven voting members, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and two non-voting, ex-officio members. The Commission is operating at full strength for the first time in 4 years with the appointment of a Chairman and the confirmations of three Commissioners. An overview of the Commission in this report addresses organization, staffing, and budget and expenditures. A chapter on guideline amendments covers amendment authority, amendments promulgated, and the activities of the following working groups: substantial assistance, departures, cocaine, drug guidelines, and food and drug. A chapter on legal issues focuses on the work of the U.S. Supreme Court and sentencing-guidelines departures based on offense characteristics and offender characteristics. Remaining chapters address guideline training and education, as well as research; the latter covers monitoring and research studies. Extensive information is provided on Federal criminal cases sentenced under the guidelines in fiscal year 1994. Appended descriptions of data files, variables, and footnotes, as well as selected criminal justice and sentencing statistics by district, 13 figures, and 70 tables