From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms
Chamber
The meeting place for the membership of either the House or Senate; also the membership of the House or Senate meeting as such. The lowest level in each chamber, i.e., the floor of the chamber below the galleries in the physical chamber, is often referred to as “the floor.”
In the Constitution and in some documents and usage, the Senate and The House of Representatives are referred to as “the two houses of Congress” or “both houses of Congress”. To avoid confusion, we prefer to use “two chambers of Congress” or “both chambers of Congress” or “the other chamber” rather than the more formal usage. See A Note About Usage: “Congress” (CongressionalGlossary.com).
More
- The Constitution of the United States, Article. I. Section. 2. The House
- The Constitution of the United States, Article. I. Section. 3. The Senate
- A Note About Usage: “Congress” (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Congress Seating Charts
- Floor / Aisle / Candy Desk / Gallery (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- House (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Senate (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Seniority / Junior Senator / Senior Senator (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Mace (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Well (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- “The First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the Senate Floor,” CRS Report RS20722 (14-page PDF
) - “Video Broadcasting of Congressional Proceedings,” CRS Report R44665 (21-page PDF)
- “Congressional News Media and the House and Senate Press Galleries,” CRS Report R44816 (23-page PDF)
- “Internships in Congressional Offices: Frequently Asked Questions,” CRS Report R44491 (18-page PDF)
See also § 6.113, Who Is Allowed on the House Floor? and § 6.192 Who Is Allowed on the Senate Floor? § 11.11, House Floor Plan, § 11.21, Senate Seating Chart, in Congressional Deskbook; Chapter 4. House Floor and Chapter 5. Senate Floor, in Congressional Procedure.
Sen. Duckworth with her baby on Senate floor (C-SPAN)
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