Electoral College (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Electoral College The Constitution provided for electors in choosing the president and vice president; the states’ electors by long practice are collectively called the electoral college. The Constitution in Article II, Section 1, Clause 2, states in part: Each State shall appoint, in such Manner … 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

At-large Representative (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms At-large Representative An at-large representative is a member of the House whose congressional district is their entire state. Under the Constitution, seats in the House of Representatives are apportioned among the states. They are reapportioned every ten years following the decennial census. Every state is … Read more

Mid-Term Elections / Casualty List (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Mid-Term Elections / Casualty List Mid-term elections / Midterm Elections are the national elections held in November of the even-numbered years between presidential elections. Mid-term election years include 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026, etc. Presidential elections are held very 4 years, including 2012, 2016, 2020, … Read more

Executive Communication / Executive Document (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Executive Communication / Executive Document Executive Communication: A message sent to the Senate by the president or other executive branch official. Presidential veto messages are an example of an “executive communication.” Executive Document: A document, usually a treaty, sent to the Senate by the president … Read more

Nomination / Confirmation (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Nomination / Confirmation   What Should Have Happened at the Brett Kavanaugh Hearings   Presidential appointments to office subject to Senate confirmation per the Constitution, Article II, Section 2. Although most nominations win quick Senate approval, some are controversial and become the topic of hearings … Read more

Treaties (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Treaties Resolution of Ratification: Senate vehicle for consideration of a treaty. Executive proposals – in the form of resolutions of ratification – that must be submitted to the Senate for approval by two-thirds of the senators present. Treaties today are normally sent to the Foreign … Read more

Vote (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Vote Unless rules specify otherwise, the Senate may agree to any question by a majority of senators voting, if a quorum is present. The Chair puts each question by voice vote unless the “yeas and nays” are requested, in which case a roll call vote … Read more

Immunity (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Immunity (1) The constitutional privilege of members of Congress (Article. I. Section. 6.) to make verbal statements on the floor and in committee for which they cannot be sued or arrested for slander or libel. Also, freedom from arrest while traveling to or from sessions … Read more

Chamber (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Chamber The meeting place for the membership of either the House or Senate; also the membership of the House or Senate meeting as such. The lowest level in each chamber, i.e., the floor of the chamber below the galleries in the physical chamber, is often … Read more