From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Blue Dog Coalition / CMO The Blue Dog Coalition is a congressional member organization (CMO) made up of “conservative” House Democrats. Van Hollen on Blue Dog Democrats A few of the other CMOs as of 2012 include: Central American Caucus Community College Caucus … 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
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Committee on Committees / Party Leaders At the beginning of each Congress, members meet to organize and select their leaders. Committees formed in each party conference and responsible for nominating the party’s members to committee membership and committee leadership positions. Nominations are subject to approval … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Committee Veto / Congressional Veto A requirement added to report language directing that certain policy directives by an executive department or agency be reviewed by certain congressional committees before they are implemented. Under common practice, the government department or agency and the committee involved are … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Lobby / Lobbying A group seeking to influence the passage or defeat of legislation. Originally the term referred to persons frequenting the lobbies or corridors of legislative chambers to speak to lawmakers. The definition of a lobby and the activity of lobbying is a matter … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms By Request House (House Rule XII – Receipt and Referral of Measures) and Senate rules permit a member to introduce a measure at the request of the president, an executive agency, or a private individual although that member may be opposed to the legislation. The … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Conference / Conference Committee Conference: 1: A formal meeting between the representatives of the House and the Senate to reconcile differences between the two chambers on provisions of a bill passed by both chambers. Members of the conference committee are appointed by the Speaker and … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Simple Resolution Resolution / Simple Resolution: Sentiment of one chamber on an issue, or a measure to carry out the administrative or procedural business of the chamber. Does not become law. Designated as H. Res. or S. Res. A simple resolution deals with the internal … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Bully Pulpit The president’s bully pulpit A bully pulpit is a public office or other position of authority of sufficiently high rank that provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to on any matter. The bully pulpit can … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Standing Committee Committees permanently established by House and Senate rules. House Rule X and Senate Rule XXV list the jurisdiction of each committee. The standing committees are legislative committees. Legislation may be referred to them and they may report bills and resolutions to their parent … Read more