A more thorough explanation:

The United States Sentencing Commission is an independent commission within the judicial branch of the federal government. Its main responsibility is to create and regulate guidelines for criminal sentencing in federal courts. It also issues policy statements about how these guidelines should be applied.

The President appoints members of the commission with the advice and consent of the Senate. The commission was established under the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, which aimed to create more consistency and fairness in federal sentencing.

For example, if someone is convicted of a federal crime, the judge will consult the guidelines created by the United States Sentencing Commission to determine an appropriate sentence. These guidelines take into account factors such as the severity of the crime, the defendant's criminal history, and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances.

Another example is when the commission issues a policy statement about how to apply the guidelines in cases involving drug offenses. This statement might recommend that judges consider alternative sentencing options, such as drug treatment programs, for non-violent drug offenders.

These examples illustrate how the United States Sentencing Commission plays an important role in shaping the way federal criminal sentences are determined. By creating guidelines and issuing policy statements, the commission helps ensure that sentences are fair, consistent, and appropriate for the crime committed.