From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Vote Unless rules specify otherwise, the Senate may agree to any question by a majority of senators voting, if a quorum is present. The Chair puts each question by voice vote unless the “yeas and nays” are requested, in which case a roll call vote … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Voice Vote (Susan Boyle – Britains Got Talent 2009 Episode 1 – Saturday 11th April) Voice Vote: A method of voting in the House or Senate where members who support a question call out “aye” in chorus, after which those opposed answer “no” in unison. … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Joint Session / Joint Meeting Joint Session: When the House and Senate meet together to conduct formal business or to hear an address by the president of the United States. A formal meeting that occurs when both houses adopt a concurrent resolution. A joint session, … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms “Christmas Tree” Bill “Christmas Tree” Bill: Informal nomenclature / jargon for a bill containing many riders / amendments unrelated, i.e, nongermane, to the bill’s subjects; usually refers to Senate measures. A bill on the Senate floor that attracts many, often unrelated, floor amendments. The amendments … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Immunity (1) The constitutional privilege of members of Congress (Article. I. Section. 6.) to make verbal statements on the floor and in committee for which they cannot be sued or arrested for slander or libel. Also, freedom from arrest while traveling to or from sessions … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Sergeant at Arms Byers set to wrestle world’s best Greco-Roman heavyweights House: As an elected officer of the House of Representatives, the Sergeant at Arms is the chief law enforcement and protocol officer of the House of Representatives, and is responsible for maintaining order in … Read more
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 … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Chairman / Chair / Chairwoman The presiding officer of a committee or subcommittee. In the Senate, chairmanship is based on seniority of committee tenure, but a senator may not chair more than one standing committee. Traditionally, the majority party member with the greatest seniority on … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Byrd Rule The term, named for Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), refers to an amendment to the Congressional Budget Act that bars the inclusion of extraneous matter in any reconciliation legislation considered in the Senate. This provision defines different categories of extraneous matter in any … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Floor / Aisle / Candy Desk / Gallery “The Floor” describes the actual physical chambers of the House and the Senate, in the Capitol Building, in Washington, DC. These are the only places where legislation can pass. The aisle is the space between the minority … Read more