Executive Communication / Executive Document (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Executive Communication / Executive Document Executive Communication: A message sent to the Senate by the president or other executive branch official. Presidential veto messages are an example of an “executive communication.” Executive Document: A document, usually a treaty, sent to the Senate by the president … Read more

Chairman’s Mark / Staff Draft / Committee Print (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Chairman’s Mark / Staff Draft / Committee Print   Opening Remarks for the Mark-up of the NDAA   Subcommittee Reported Version / Committee Print: Many measures considered by a full committee have already received subcommittee action. If a subcommittee reports its version of a text … Read more

Ramseyer Rule / Cordon Rule (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Ramseyer Rule / Cordon Rule A comparative section in contrasting typefaces must be included in committee reports. This comparative section shows the text of a statute, or a part thereof, that is proposed to be amended or repealed. This section is usually prepared by each … Read more

K Street / Gucci Gulch (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms K Street / Gucci Gulch Colloquialisms for Washington, DC, lobbyists. K Street is taken from K Street NW in Washington, DC, where many lobbying firms are located. K Street is definitely “inside the Beltway.” Pork Party House: Where DC insiders go for taxpayer-subsidized fun Gucci … Read more

Call of the Calendar (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Call of the Calendar Senate bills not brought up for debate by a motion, unanimous consent or a unanimous consent agreement are brought before the Senate for action when the calendar listing them is “called.” Bills must be called in the order listed. Measures considered … Read more

Calendar Wednesday (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Calendar Wednesday On Wednesdays in the House, committees may be called in the order in which they appear in Rule X of the House, for the purpose of bringing up any of their bills for either the House or the Union Calendar, except bills that … Read more

Regular Meeting Day (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Regular Meeting Day Senate Rule XXVI requires that all committees designate at least one day a month on which it will meet to transact business. Additional meetings may be called by the chairman or by demand of a majority of a committee’s members. Also see … Read more

Capitol / Capitol Hill Map / National Mall (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Capitol / Capitol Hill Map / National Mall (Click here for Google map) “The Capitol” is the United States Capitol Building, the building in which Congress meets. The Capitol is located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (“The Capitol” is not “the Capital” and Capitol … Read more

Committee Amendment / Floor Amendment (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Committee Amendment / Floor Amendment Committee Amendment: An amendment recommended by a committee in reporting a bill or other measure. When the House is meeting as the Committee of the Whole, a special rule often provides that committee amendments become part of the text of … Read more

Must Pass Bill (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms “Must Pass” Bill A vitally important measure that Congress must enact, such as annual money bills to fund operations of the government. Because of their must-pass quality, these measures often attract “riders” (unrelated policy provisos). Members of the House and Senate announced on Monday that … Read more