Budget Resolution (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Budget Resolution photo credit: haydnseek Legislation in the form of a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget, but not requiring the president’s signature. The budget resolution establishes various budget totals, divides spending totals into functional categories (e.g., transportation), and may include reconciliation instructions to … Read more

Function / Functional Classification (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Function / Functional Classification photo credit: quinn.anya Categories of spending established for accounting purposes to keep track of specific expenditures. Each account is placed in the single function (such as national defense, agriculture, health, etc.) that best represents its major purpose, regardless of the agency … Read more

Adjourn (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Adjourn photo credit: Gaffke Photography v2.8 Adjourn: Formal motion to end a day’s session of a chamber of Congress. A motion to adjourn in the Senate (or a committee) ends that day’s session. Adjournment is not a recess. Because procedures are so strictly determined when … Read more

Recess (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Recess photo credit: Harpersbizarre Temporary interruption or suspension of a committee or chamber meeting. In the House, the Speaker is authorized to declare recesses. In the Senate, the chamber often recesses rather than adjourns at the end of the day so as not to trigger … Read more

Act / Act of Congress / Law (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Act photo credit: Ruth L An Act of Congress (also called Act) is legislation (a bill or joint resolution) that has passed both chambers of Congress in identical form, been signed into law by the president, or passed over his veto, thus becoming law. A … Read more

Pocket Veto (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Pocket Veto The act of the president in withholding his approval of a bill after Congress has adjourned. When Congress is in session, a bill becomes law without the president’s signature if he does not act upon it within 10 days, excluding Sundays, from the … Read more

Engrossed Bill / Engrossed Measure (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Engrossed Bill / Engrossed Measure photo credit: alancleaver_2000 The final official copy of a bill as passed by one chamber, with the text as amended by floor action and certified by the clerk of the House or the secretary of the Senate. After a measure … Read more

Pocket Constitution

The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and the Amendments to the Constitution, all in a handy pocket-sized booklet. Our Pocket Constitution is available for purchase in multiples of 30 copies. Single copies are available for $5 each. A free download of our Pocket Constitution is available on Scribd. Singles and sets of 25 copies available. … Read more