General Services Administration / GSA (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms General Services Administration / GSA The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) supports the mission of all federal agencies by providing them with workspace, acquisition services, administrative policies, and citizen engagement tools, so that they can focus on achieving their respective missions. GSA consists of two … Read more

Rules (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Rules The term “rules” has two specific congressional meanings. A rule may be a standing order governing the conduct of House or Senate business that is listed among the permanent rules of either chamber. The rules deal with duties of officers, the order of business, … Read more

Bully Pulpit (CongressionalGlossary.com)

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

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

Nomination / Confirmation (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Nomination / Confirmation   What Should Have Happened at the Brett Kavanaugh Hearings   Presidential appointments to office subject to Senate confirmation per the Constitution, Article II, Section 2. Although most nominations win quick Senate approval, some are controversial and become the topic of hearings … Read more

Treaties (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Treaties Resolution of Ratification: Senate vehicle for consideration of a treaty. Executive proposals – in the form of resolutions of ratification – that must be submitted to the Senate for approval by two-thirds of the senators present. Treaties today are normally sent to the Foreign … Read more

OMB Circular No. A-11 (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms OMB Circular No. A-11     Johnny Paycheck singing A-11     OMB Circular A-11, updated annually, instructs agencies how to prepare their budget submissions. Provides detailed guidance to executive departments and establishments by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for preparing and submitting … Read more

Veto (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Veto A veto is the disapproval by the president of a bill or joint resolution passed by Congress (other than a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment). After both chambers of Congress have passed a bill, it is enrolled, then is sent to the president … Read more

Override a Veto (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Override a Veto If the president disapproves a bill and sends it back to Congress with his objections, Congress may try to override his veto and enact the bill into law. Neither chamber is required to attempt to override a veto. The override of a … Read more

Vice President (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Vice President Under the Constitution (Article I, Section 3), the vice president serves as President of the Senate. He may vote in the Senate in the case of a tie but is not required to. The President Pro Tempore (and others designated by him) usually … Read more