Value Added Tax (VAT), National Sales Tax (NST), Flat Tax, Transaction Tax (CongressionalGlossary.com)

Dissatisfaction with the federal tax system has led to a debate about U.S. tax reform, including proposals for a national consumption tax. One type of proposed consumption tax is a value-added tax (VAT), widely used around the world. A VAT is levied on the difference between a business’s sales and its purchases of goods and … Read more

How to Contact Congress

Congress receives more than 86.9 million pieces of snail mail annually, and more than 200 million emails each year. How effective are these communications? Joshua Tauberer, the creator of research tool GovTrack says that in his personal experience: […] what Congressional staff say is that two things happen with letters and other communications. First, Representatives … Read more

Goodwin, Byrd, and the Filibuster

Carte Goodwin (D-WV) was sworn in Tuesday as an interim replacement of Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), who passed away on June 28 while in office. At 36 years old, Sen. Goodwin is the youngest current Senator, and is filling the shoes of the man who was the oldest and, as we mentioned yesterday, the longest-serving Senator. … Read more

Joint Explanatory Statement of Managers (CongressionalGlossary.com)

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

“Fast-Track Procedures” (CongressionalGlossary.com)

Fast-Track Procedures: Procedures that circumvent or speed up all or part of the legislative process. Some rule-making statutes prescribe expedited procedures for certain measures, such as trade agreements.   The Politician Behind California High Speed Rail Now Says It’s ‘Almost a Crime’   Also see Chapter 3.A. Introduction; Chapter 7.A. Introduction; Chapter 7.L. Other Fast-Track … Read more

Disagree (CongressionalGlossary.com)

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

Direct Spending / Mandatory Spending (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Direct Spending / Mandatory Spending: Budget authority, and the resulting outlays, provided in laws other than appropriations acts. Spending controlled outside of annual appropriations acts, specifically including the Food Stamp (now SNAP) program; also referred to as mandatory spending. As defined by the Balanced Budget … Read more

The Constitution of the United States: Amendment 23 (23rd Amendment – Presidential Vote for District of Columbia)

The Constitution of the United States: Amendment 23 (Twenty-Third Amendment) Amendment XXIII. (Presidential Vote for District of Columbia) Passed by Congress June 16, 1960. Ratified March 29, 1961. Section 1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct: A number of electors of … Read more

Waiver Rule (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Waiver Rule: A special rule in the House that waives points of order against a measure or an amendment. In the House, the prohibition against motions to recommit concurrent resolutions on the budget under Section 305(a)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is typically … Read more