Recent CRS Reports – February 2021

Considering Legislation on the House Floor: Common Practices in Brief, CRS Report R43424, February 26, 2021 (13-page PDF) “Legislative Branch: FY2021 Appropriations,” CRS Report R46469, February 26, 2021 (40-page PDF) “Availability of Legislative Measures in the House of Representatives (The “72-Hour Rule”),” CRS Report RS22015, February 25, 2021 (12-page PDF) “U.S. Capitol Attack and Law … Read more

“Agency Rescissions of Legislative Rules,” CRS Report R46673

Federal administrative agencies carry out their statutorily prescribed responsibilities in many ways. Perhaps most significantly, agencies may, pursuant to congressionally delegated authority, promulgate rules with the force of law, commonly known as “regulations,” “substantive rules,” or “legislative rules.” The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) establishes the procedural framework with which agencies generally must comply when issuing … Read more

Regular Order (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms   ‘Regular Order’: Lawmaking The Old-Fashioned Way | Ron’s Office Hours | NPR   Many contemporary lawmakers urge a return to “regular order” lawmaking. In general, the regular order refers to a traditional, committee-centered process of lawmaking, very much in evidence during most of the … Read more

The “Regular Order”: A Perspective (CRS R46597)

Many contemporary lawmakers urge a return to “regular order” lawmaking. In general, the regular order refers to a traditional, committee-centered process of lawmaking, very much in evidence during most of the 20th century. Today, Congress has evolved to become largely a party-centered institution. Committees remain important, but they are less important than previously as “gatekeepers” … Read more

Richard Arenberg’s “Congressional Procedure” from TheCapitol.Net

ALEXANDRIA, VA – (October 8, 2018) – Just in time for the November midterm elections, TheCapitol.Net is pleased to announce the publication of a major new reference work, Congressional Procedure: A Practical Guide to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress, by Richard A. Arenberg. If the U.S. Constitution is the rule book, this is … Read more

Crony Capitalism / Rent-Seeking / Corporate Welfare / Revolving Door (CongressionalGlossary.com)

Crony Capitalism / Rent-Seeking / Corporate Welfare / Revolving Door Corporate welfare refers to subsidies and regulatory protections that lawmakers confer on certain businesses and industries. When considering budget issues, federal policymakers are supposed to have the broad public interest in mind. Unfortunately, that is not how the federal budget process usually works in practice. … Read more

The Congressional Review Act (CRA) (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms   Congressional Review Act: A new idea to eliminate Obama’s agency regulations   The Congressional Review Act (CRA) is an oversight tool that Congress may use to overturn a rule issued by a federal agency, in some cases, rules issued in a previous session of … Read more

Backdoor Authority / Backdoor Spending (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Backdoor Authority / Backdoor Spending A colloquial phrase for budget authority provided in laws other than appropriations acts, including contract authority and borrowing authority, as well as entitlement authority and the outlays that result from that budget authority.   Fiscal Law #1 – Overview   … Read more

Obligation (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Obligation photo credit: smudie A legally binding agreement that will result in outlays, immediately or in the future. A promise to pay. The obligation, the promise to pay, is the initial action in the Federal spending process. Appropriations laws establish whether funds are available to … Read more