From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Conference Report photo credit: ☺ Lee J Haywood The compromise product negotiated by the conference committee. The “conference report,” which is printed and available to Senators, is submitted to each chamber for its consideration, such as approval or disapproval. The conference report contains a formal … Read more
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
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
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Earmarking / Earmarks / Miscellaneous Tariff Bills photo credit: Beau B Earmarking: Either of the following: (1) Dedicating collections by law for a specific purpose or program. Earmarked collections include trust fund receipts, special fund receipts, intragovernmental receipts, and offsetting collections credited to appropriation accounts. … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Trust Fund / Trust Fund Accounts photo credit: Fristle Funds collected and used by the Federal Government for carrying out specific purposes and programs according to terms of a trust agreement or statute, such as the Social Security trust funds. Accounts designated as “trust funds” … Read more
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
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
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
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
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