From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Speaker The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, selected by the caucus of the party to which she belongs and formally elected by the whole House. Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution states: “The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Constitutional Authority Statement photo credit: _BuBBy_ On January 5, 2011, the House of Representatives adopted an amendment to House Rule XII adding a requirement to all measures introduced in the House of Representatives that are intended to become law. Specifically, Rule XII, clause 7(c) requires … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Quorum photo credit: ateneinrivolta Quorum, n. A sufficient number of members of a deliberative body to have their own way and their own way of having it. In the United States Senate a quorum consists of the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and a … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms President of the Senate / President Pro Tempore photo credit: gualtiero President of the Senate: Under the Constitution (Article I, Section 3), the Vice President of the United States presides over the Senate and is allowed to cast a vote in the event of a … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Amendment / “Bigger Bite” Amendment photo credit: anarchosyn A proposal of a member of Congress to alter the language, provisions or stipulations in a bill, resolution, motion, treaty or in another amendment. An amendment is usually printed, debated and voted upon in the same manner … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Advice and Consent / Plum Book photo credit: mikecogh Advice and Consent: Under the Constitution, Article. II. Section. 2., presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts (including ambassadors, Cabinet secretaries, federal judges, and military officers) take effect only when confirmed by the Senate, and … Read more
For nearly 200 years, there has been a broad disconnect between the insight contained in Madison’s [Notes of the Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787] — which is deeply relevant even to the health-care case the Supreme Court will begin hearing next week — and just about anyone’s ability to access it. Historians dip … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Adjournment to a Day and Time Certain photo credit: Brett Jordan Adjournment to a Day and Time Certain is adjournment under a motion or resolution that fixes the next time of meeting for one chamber or both chambers. Under the Constitution, neither chamber can adjourn … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Reapportionment / Redistricting / Gerrymander photo credit: faul Budget Process: A revision of a previous apportionment of budgetary resources for an appropriation or fund account. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reapportions just as it apportions. Agencies usually submit requests for reapportionment to OMB … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Joint Resolution A joint resolution, designated H.J. Res. or S.J. Res. Requires the approval of both houses and the signature of the president, just as a bill does, and has the force of law if approved. There is no practical difference between a bill and … Read more