Division of a Question for Voting (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Division of a Question for Voting photo credit: neoterra A practice that is more common in the Senate but also is used in the House whereby a member may demand a division of an amendment or a motion for purposes of amendment. The individual parts … Read more

Electronic Vote (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Electronic Vote Voting terminal in the U.S. House. Image from the Clerk of the House. A vote in the House using electronic voting machines. Members insert voting cards into one of the devices located throughout the House chamber. Recorded and roll call votes are normally … Read more

President’s Budget (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms President’s Budget photo credit: Navin75 The document sent to Congress by the President in January or February of each year, as required by law (31 U.S.C. § 1105), requesting new budget authority for federal programs and estimating federal revenues and outlays for the upcoming fiscal … Read more

Unanimous Consent (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Unanimous Consent photo credit: levork Proceedings of the House or Senate and action on legislation often take place upon the unanimous consent of the chamber, whether or not a rule of the chamber is being violated. Unanimous consent is used to expedite floor action and … Read more

Yield Time (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Yield Time photo credit: Lori Greig When the Senate has reached a unanimous consent agreement limiting the time for debate and placing it under the control of floor managers, a senator may be recognized to speak only if a manager yields the senator a specified … Read more

Unanimous Consent Agreement / Time Limitation Agreement (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Unanimous Consent Agreement / Time Limitation Agreement A device used in the Senate to expedite legislation by spelling out the process for considering a proposal. Much of the Senate’s legislative business, dealing with both minor and controversial issues, is conducted through unanimous consent or unanimous … Read more

Budget Process (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Budget Process Established by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974, the budget process refers to the steps necessary for adoption of a concurrent resolution on the budget, thereby creating the framework for consideration of appropriations bills and authorizing legislation. The Joint Select Committee … Read more

Sequester / Sequestration (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Sequester / Sequestration photo credit: pheezy The cancellation of budgetary resources pursuant to the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990. If canceled, sequestration funds will not be available for obligation or expenditure. Sequestration may occur in response to the enactment of appropriations that cause a breach … Read more

Reconciliation / Reconciliation Instruction (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Reconciliation photo credit: Ben Sutherland Reconciliation: Process by which Congress changes existing laws to conform revenue and spending levels to the limits set in a budget resolution. Limited to twenty hours of debate in the Senate. Reconciliation Instruction: A provision within a Budget Resolution directing … Read more