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
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Deeming Resolution “Deeming resolution” is a term that refers to legislation deemed to serve as an annual budget resolution for purposes of establishing enforceable budget levels for a budget cycle. A deeming resolution is used when the House and Senate are late in reaching final … 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
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms CODEL / Congressional Delegation / Junket Introduction of the U.S. Congressional Delegation A trip abroad by a group of members of Congress, usually bi-partisan. Committees sponsor fact finding travel to countries or regions to obtain first-hand information on foreign policy issues. These missions … 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 Constituent / Case Work Constituent: A person who can or does elect a public official to office. A person eligible to vote for a candidate for a particular public office. A House member’s local offices (district offices) are located in the represented congressional district, and … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Cosponsor House and Senate measures may have numerous sponsors in addition to the member who proposes the legislation. It is common in both chambers for the key proponent of a measure (the sponsor) to send a Dear Colleague letter (in print or electronically) to other … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Permanent Appropriations Permanent Appropriations: Budget authority that becomes available as the result of previously enacted legislation (substantive legislation or prior appropriations act) and does not require current action by Congress. Budget authority is considered to be “current” if provided in the current session of Congress … 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 Amending the Constitution How to Amend the U.S. Constitution One of the ways in which federalism is most clearly expressed in the Constitution is in the process for its amendment. Nine of the thirteen original states were required to ratify the … Read more