From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Executive Privilege / Qualified Privilege Mark Rozell – The Looming Battle Over Executive Privilege The phrase “executive privilege” is a shorthand reference to the “qualified privilege” of the executive to decline to respond to a request for information–documents or testimony or both–from either … Read more
Learning to research and understand legislative history is an important part of any legislator’s job. Legislative history includes the official reports that are generated in Congress throughout the course of the legislative process, such as committee reports and joint statements. photo credit: EverJean When researching case law, be aware that court decisions can frequently include … Read more
How to Research and Compile Legislative Histories Searching for Legislative Intent Learn how to research, compile and analyze the legislative history of federal laws and statutes. Our faculty demonstrate and discuss: Federal legislative history research methodologies Various document types necessary to research and compile legislative histories including: Enacted laws Bills and resolutions Floor debates Committee … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Closed Rule / Modified Closed Rule / Special Rule / Open Rule In the House, under a closed rule, no amendments can be offered to the bill. Permits general debate for a specified period of time but permits no floor amendments. Amendments reported by the … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Seniority / Junior Senator / Senior Senator Cartoon explanation here. The status given members according to their length of service in the chamber, which entitles a member with greater seniority to preferential treatment in matters such as committee assignments. In the House, the Press Gallery … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Bipartisan When members from two different political parties (in the contemporary Congress, Democrats and Republicans) work together to find a common solution, or when members from both parties work together in a group or jointly sponsor or co-sponsor legislation. In the House, the Speaker consults … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Government Accountability Office / GAO / Comptroller General The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan legislative agency that works for Congress. Often called the “congressional watchdog,” GAO investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars. The head of GAO, the Comptroller General … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Congressional Budget Office / CBO Introduction to the Congressional Budget Office The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Government Accountability Office (GAO) principally serve congressional committees with a variety of reports. The Congressional Budget Office assists Congress in understanding the economic and fiscal environment … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Committee Calendar A committee calendar provides a comprehensive record of a committee’s actions during one Congress. Most committees periodically publish a committee calendar that lists the bills and resolutions referred to them, action taken on those measures, and other relevant information. All committees except the … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Authorization / Authorization Act Authorization – Provision in law that establishes or continues a program or agency and authorizes appropriations for it. Basic, substantive legislation that establishes or continues the legal operation of a federal program or agency, either indefinitely or for a specific period … Read more