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
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Senatorial Courtesy Sometimes referred to as “the courtesy of the Senate,” it is a general practice – with no written rule – applied to consideration of executive nominations. Generally, it means that nominations from a state are not to be confirmed unless they … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms House / House of Representatives The House of Representatives, as distinct from the Senate, although each body is a “house” or “chamber” of Congress. Established by the Constitution, Article I, Section 2. See “A Note About Usage: ‘Congress’.” When members of the House and House … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Constitutional Authority Statement photo credit: _BuBBy_ On January 5, 2011, the House of Representatives adopted an amendment to House Rule XII adding a requirement to all measures introduced in the House of Representatives that are intended to become law. Specifically, Rule XII, clause 7(c) requires … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Advice and Consent / Plum Book photo credit: mikecogh Advice and Consent: Under the Constitution, Article. II. Section. 2., presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts (including ambassadors, Cabinet secretaries, federal judges, and military officers) take effect only when confirmed by the Senate, and … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Presiding Officer photo credit: Wonderlane Senate: A majority-party senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing members to speak, and interpreting the Senate’s rules, practices and precedents. House: The Speaker is the presiding officer in the House of … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms U.S. Code (U.S.C.) (USC) photo credit: AngryJulieMonday Following the assignment of a public-law number and statutory citation, and the publication of a slip law, the House of Representatives’ Office of Law Revision Counsel, working largely under the auspices of the Speaker of the House, organizes … Read more
Died. Moman Pruiett, 73, shaggy-browed Oklahoma criminal lawyer; of pneumonia; in Oklahoma City. Sent to jail for robbery at age 18, he vowed “I’ll open the doors of your damned prisons!” Later he became so expert at bringing tears to backwoods jurors’ eyes (343 murder cases, 303 acquittals, no executions) that he was considered a … Read more
Research Tools and Techniques: Refining Your Online and Offline Searches What to do when you’re told, “Find out about this!” photo credit: MSVG This course helps anyone responsible for research at any Washington-area organization, whether an agency, association, business, elected official or nonprofit. It is designed for anyone who wants to improve their online and … Read more
The power to appoint all federal judges is shared by the president and the Senate. The legal framework for such appointments is established by provisions within the Constitution under Article II, Section 2, Clause 2. photo credit: LithiumP4 Nominations for judicial appointments by the president are transmitted by message to the Senate. The message is … Read more