A Virginia-based record label, County Records, is reissuing Mountain Fiddler, a bluegrass album by former Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), who passed away late last month at the age of 92. Sen. Byrd was the longest-serving member of the U.S. Senate in history, at 58 years. Byrd was a self-taught fiddle player, heavily influenced by legendary … Read more
On Thursday, the Senate had come to an agreement on its Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act conference report by a 60-39 vote. The bill has now gone to President Barack Obama, who will sign it into law later this week. The final Senate vote marks the culmination of a two-year effort launched … Read more
With mid-term elections approaching in November, there is increased debate over the tax cuts from the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (JGTTRA) that are set to expire at the end of this year. On July 14, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on extending those tax cuts. Pete Davis, a … Read more
Later today, the Senate will convene and resume consideration of the conference report to accompany the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (H.R. 4173), intended to strengthen consumer protection in the wake of the national economic crisis. What’s noteworthy about the legislation is not just what would be included within it, but … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Joint Explanatory Statement of Managers Portion of the conference report providing the history, explanation, and intent of the conferees. The conference report and joint explanatory statement are two distinct documents. The conference report contains a formal statement of the procedural actions the conferees took and … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Disagree: To reject an amendment of the other chamber. See: Stage of Disagreement (CongressionalGlossary.com); Amendments Between the Houses (Chambers) / Insist / Amendments in Disagreement / Amendments in Technical Disagreement (CongressionalGlossary.com). Also see Conference Committee (CongressionalGlossary.com) Engrossed Measure (CongressionalGlossary.com) Joint Resolution (CongressionalGlossary.com) Privilege (CongressionalGlossary.com) Unanimous … Read more
The Constitution of the United States: Amendment 20 (20th Amendment) Amendment XX. (Presidential, Congressional Terms) Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23, 1933. Note: Article I, section 4, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of this amendment. In addition, a portion of the 12th amendment was superseded by section 3. Section … Read more
The Constitution of the United States: Amendment 17 (17th Amendment) Amendment XVII. (Senators Elected by Popular Vote) Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913. Note: Article I, section 3, of the Constitution was modified by the 17th amendment. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each … Read more
The United States Constitution Article. I. (The Legislative Branch) Section. 8. (Powers of Congress) (Clause 1 – Power to tax and spend) The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all … Read more
The United States Constitution Article. I. (The Legislative Branch) Section. 7. (Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto) All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills. Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, … Read more