Official Title / Short Title / Popular Title / Popular Name (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Official Title / Short Title / Popular Title / Popular Name Nat King Cole — Mona Lisa Official Title: Statement of a measure’s subject and purpose, which appears before the enacting clause. Popular Title: The informal, unofficial name or the short title by which a … Read more

Committee Report (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Committee Report   Financial Services Hearing on Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission Report   Committee Report: Document accompanying measure reported from a committee, containing an explanation of the provisions of the measure, arguments for its approval, and certain other matters. A committee report is both an … Read more

Refer / Referral (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Refer / Referral   Muddy Waters – Champagne & Reefer   Refer: Assignment of a measure to committee Once introduced in the House or Senate, or passed by one chamber and sent to the other, most measures are referred to committee. Referral to committee occurs … Read more

Blue-Slip Resolution / Star Print / Blue Slip (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Blue-Slip Resolution / Star Print / Blue Slip   MITCH RYDER – DEVIL WITH THE BLUE DRESS (Live w / lyrics)   Blue-Slip Resolution: House resolution ordering the return to the Senate of a Senate bill or amendment that the House believes violates the constitutional … Read more

Understanding Report Language and Legislative History / Joint Statements (CongressionalGlossary.com)

Learning to research and understand legislative history is an important part of any legislator’s job. Legislative history includes the official reports that are generated in Congress throughout the course of the legislative process, such as committee reports and joint statements. photo credit: EverJean When researching case law, be aware that court decisions can frequently include … Read more

Precedents of the House of Representatives / Cannon’s / Deschler’s / Hinds’ / House Practice (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Precedents of the House of Representatives / Cannon’s / Deschler’s / Hinds’ / House Practice   House Parliamentarian discusses congressional precedent and rules with Foxx   Precedent: Previous ruling by a presiding officer that becomes part of the procedures of a chamber. Each chamber of … Read more

Code of Federal Regulations / CFR (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Code of Federal Regulations / CFR The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the federal government. It is divided into fifty titles that represent broad … Read more

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs / OIRA (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs / OIRA The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA, pronounced “oh-eye-ruh”) is a federal office established by Congress in the 1980 Paperwork Reduction Act. It is part of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which is an … Read more

Dear Colleague letters (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Dear Colleague letters Members of Congress circulate Dear Colleague letters to urge their colleagues to co-sponsor their legislation. It is common in both chambers for the key proponent of a measure to send a Dear Colleague letter (in print or electronically) to other members requesting … Read more

Congressional Budget Office / CBO (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Congressional Budget Office / CBO   Introduction to the Congressional Budget Office   The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Government Accountability Office (GAO) principally serve congressional committees with a variety of reports. The Congressional Budget Office assists Congress in understanding the economic and fiscal environment … Read more