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Congressional Procedure
A Practical Guide to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress: The House of Representatives and Senate Explained
By Richard A. Arenberg
Additional Resources
Pocket Constitution
Previous: Chapter 7 – The Congressional Budget and Other Special Cases
Chapter 8 – Additional Congressional Responsibilities and Procedures
A. Introduction
B. Nominations
C. Recess Appointments
D. Treaties
E. Congressional Oversight
F. Investigations
G. Impeachment and Trial
H. 25th Amendment
I. Legislative Veto
J. Recess and Adjournment
K. Senate Morning Business
L. House Special Orders
M. Rulings and Appeals of Rulings of the Chair
N. Expelling a Member or Denying a Seat to a Member-Elect
O. Presidential Election
P. Presidential Succession
Q. The Courts
R. Amending the Constitution
Chapter 9 – Conclusion
Chapter 8. Additional Congressional Responsibilities and Procedures
8. A. Introduction
- Pocket Constitution
- Constitution, Article I, Section 5
- Constitution, Article II, Section 1
- Constitution, Article III, Section 1
- Constitution, Article V
- Morning Hour / Morning Business (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Cloture / Rule XXII / Nuclear Option (Congressional Glossary)
- Precedents of the House of Representatives / Cannon’s / Deschler’s / Hinds’ / House Practice (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Closed Rule / Modified Closed Rule / Special Rule / Open Rule (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Rules (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Regular Vetoes and Pocket Vetoes: In Brief, CRS Report RS22188 (18-page PDF
) - Legislative Vetoes After Chadha, CRS Report RS22132 (8-page PDF)
- Calling Up Business on the Senate Floor, CRS Report 98-836 (8-page PDF)
8. B. Nominations
- Chapter 5.I. The Nuclear Option
- Appeal (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Advice and Consent / Plum Book / Presidential Appointment (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Executive Session / Executive Business / Secret Session (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Cloture / Rule XXII / Nuclear Option (Congressional Glossary)
- Nomination / Confirmation (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Quorum (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Precedents of the House of Representatives / Cannon’s / Deschler’s / Hinds’ / House Practice (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Blue-Slip Resolution / Star Print (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Committee Amendment / Floor Amendment (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- The President’s Nominations to Federal Courts
- Supreme Court Nominations: Presidential Nomination, the Judiciary Committee, Senate Consideration, Cloture, and the Use of the Filibuster, TheCapitol.Net
- Judiciary, Senate
- Senate Rules
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Policy and Supporting Positions, The Plum Book, GovInfo
- “…the Senate is to consist in its proceeding with more coolness…” James Madison, Notes of the Secret Debates of the Federal Convention of 1787, June 7, 1787 (Avalon Project)
- “In the exercise of the executive power the President of the United States is constantly subject to a jealous scrutiny.“, Democracy in America, Part I., Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution—Part II, by Alexis de Tocqueville (Project Gutenberg)
- Presidential Appointments to Full-Time Positions in Independent and Other Agencies During the 111th Congress, CRS Report R42932 (54-page PDF)
- Presidential Appointments to Full-Time Positions in Executive Departments During the 112th Congress, CRS Report R43853 (53-page PDF)
- Presidential Appointments, the Senate’s Confirmation Process, and Changes Made in the 112th Congress, CRS Report R41872 (33-page PDF)
- Presidential Appointments to Full-Time Positions in Executive Departments During the 114th Congress, CRS Report R45028 (47x-page PDF)
Presidential Appointments
- Temporarily Filling Presidentially Appointed, Senate-Confirmed Positions, CRS Report RS21412 (13-page PDF)
- Appointment and Confirmation of Executive Branch Leadership: An Overview, CRS Report R44083 (20-page PDF)
- “Democracy in America,” by Alexis de Tocqueville, UVA
- “Democracy in America,” by Alexis de Tocqueville, Amazon
- Senate Consideration of Presidential Nominations: Committee and Floor Procedure, CRS Report RL31980 (20-page PDF)
- Presidential Appointee Positions Requiring Senate Confirmation and Committees Handling Nominations, CRS Report RL30959 (58-page PDF)
- Constitutionality of a Senate Filibuster of a Judicial Nomination, CRS Report RL32102 (20-page PDF)
- Filibusters and Cloture in the Senate, CRS Report RL30360 (29-page PDF)
Senate check on presidential appointments
- “The Blue Slip Process for U.S. Circuit and District Court Nominations (1917-Present),” CRS Report R44975 (21-page PDF)
- The Blue-Slip Process in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary: Background, Issues, and Options, CRS Report RS21674 (8-page PDF)
- Evolution of the Senate’s Role in the Nomination and Confirmation Process: A Brief History, CRS Report RL31948 (19-page PDF)
- The History of the Blue Slip in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 1917-Present, CRS Report RL32013 (35-page PDF)
- Eight Mechanisms to Enact Procedural Change in the U.S. Senate, CRS Insight IN10875 (5-page PDF)
- “100 years of the Blue Slip courtesy,” by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), The Hill, November 15, 2017
- “Bills, Resolutions, Nominations, and Treaties: Characteristics and Examples of Use,” CRS Report R46603 (14-page PDF
)
8. C. Recess Appointments
- Pocket Constitution
- Constitution, Article II, Section 2
- Constitution, Article I, Section 5
- NLRB v. Noel Canning (573 US ___ 2014): Oyez, ScotusBlog, LII
- “When Congress Is Away the President Shall Not Play: Justice Scalia’s Concurrence in NLRB v. Noel Canning,” by Krista Pikus, Michigan Law Review
- Recess (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Pro Forma Session / Recess Appointment (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Recess Appointments: A Legal Overview, CRS Report RL33009 (38-page PDF)
Obama loses recess appointments case
- Recess Appointments of Federal Judges, CRS Report RL31112 (34-page PDF)
- Recess Appointments: Frequently Asked Questions, CRS Report RS21308 (16-page PDF)
- Judicial Recess Appointments: A Legal Overview, CRS Report RL32971 (18-page PDF)
- Recess Appointments Made by President George W. Bush, CRS Report RL33310 (26-page PDF)
- Recess Appointments Made by President Barack Obama, CRS Report R42329 (21-page PDF)
- Sessions, Adjournments, and Recesses of Congress, CRS Report R42977 (31-page PDF)
8. D. Treaties
- Pocket Constitution
- Constitution, Article II, Section 2
- Advice and Consent / Plum Book / Presidential Appointment (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Quorum (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Simple Resolution (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Treaties (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), 1949, Historian, State Department
- The North Atlantic Treaty, National Archives
- Senate Consideration of Treaties, CRS Report 98-384 (6-page PDF)
- “Bills, Resolutions, Nominations, and Treaties: Characteristics, Requirements, and Uses,” CRS Report 98-728 (3-page PDF)
- “Bills, Resolutions, Nominations, and Treaties: Characteristics and Examples of Use,” CRS Report R46603 (14-page PDF)
- “Reservations, Understandings, Declarations, and Other Conditions to Treaties,” CRS In Focus IF12208 (5-page PDF)
- About Treaty Documents, Congress.gov
- Treaty Documents, Congress.gov
Defense Trade Cooperation Treaties
- International Law and Agreements: Their Effect upon U.S. Law, CRS Report RL32528 (24-page PDF)
- Treaties and Other International Agreements, The Role of The United States Senate, S. PRT. 106–71 (2001), GPO
- Congressional Calendars and Schedules, Congress.gov
- The “Bulldog” and the Genocide Treaty, Senate
- International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, Congress.gov
8. E. Congressional Oversight
- Pocket Constitution
- Oversight / Oversight Committee (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Ranking Minority Member / Ranking Member (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Congressional Oversight, CRS Report 97-936 (11-page PDF)
- Congressional Oversight: An Overview, CRS Report R41079 (24-page PDF)
- Congressional Oversight Manual, CRS Report RL30240 (140-page PDF)
- Investigations & Oversight, House
- Congressional Oversight of Judges and Justices, CRS Report RL32935 (42-page PDF)
- “Congressional Oversight Provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136),” CRS Report R46315 (27-page PDF)
- The Federalist No. 51, Avalon Project
- McGrain v. Daugherty, 273 US 135 (1927), Justia
- Constitution, Article I, Section 8
- Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- 18 U.S. Code § 1001, LII
Checking the Executive: The Importance of Congressional Oversight
- Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI)
- Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI)
- House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI)
- “Linda Gustitus: Staff Director, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management and of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and Chief of Staff, Senator Carl Levin, 1979-2003,” Oral History Interviews, September 24 to December 10, 2012, Senate Historical Office, Washington, DC
Congressional oversight of executive bureaucracy
- “Richard A. Arenberg: Staff to Senators Paul Tsongas, George Mitchell, and Carl Levin, 1975-2009” Oral History Interviews, Senate Historical Office, Washington, DC
- Report of the congressional committees investigating the Iran-Contra Affair: with supplemental, minority, and additional views, S. Rept. 110-216, Archive.org
- “How big is the federal workforce? Much bigger than you think.” Washington Post, October 3, 2017
- The True Size of Government, Paul Light, October 5, 2017
- A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies, USA.gov
- The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, House
- The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, House
- “Congress’s Authority to Limit the Removal of Inspectors General,” CRS Report R46762 (46-page PDF)
- Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE)
- Oversight.gov – Federal Inspector General Reports
8. F. Investigations
- Pocket Constitution
- Oversight / Oversight Committee (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Congressional Oversight Manual, CRS Report RL30240 (140-page PDF)
- Investigations & Oversight, House
- Terrorist Attack At Benghazi, Senate
- “Flashing Red: A Special Report On The Terrorist Attack At Benghazi,” By Joseph I. Lieberman, Chairman and Susan M. Collins, Ranking Member, United States Senate Committee On Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs, December 30, 2012 (31-page PDF)
8. G. Impeachment and Trials
- Pocket Constitution
- Constitution, Article I, Section 2
- Constitution, Article I, Section 3
- Constitution, Article II, Section 4
- Annotated Constitution, LII
Impeachment
- Conferees / Managers / Instruct Conferees (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Impeach / Impeachment (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- President of the Senate / President Pro Tempore (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Quorum (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Simple Resolution (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Impeachment and Removal, CRS Report R44260 (32-page PDF)
- Impeachment: An Overview of Constitutional Provisions, Procedure, and Practice, CRS Report 98-186 (40-page PDF)
Federal Judge Removed From Bench
- Standard of Proof in Senate Impeachment Proceedings, CRS Report 98-990 (8-page PDF)
- “The Impeachment and Trial of a Former President,” CRS Legal Sidebar LSB10565 (8-page PDF)
- Impeachment, House.gov
- The Federalist No. 65, Avalon Project
8. H. 25th Amendment
The 25th Amendment Explained: American Government Review
- Presidential and Vice Presidential Succession: Overview and Current Legislation, CRS Report RL31761 (30-page PDF)
David Hawkings’ Whiteboard: What’s the 25th Amendment?
- Presidential Disability: An Overview, CRS Report RS20260 (8-page PDF)
8. I. Legislative Veto
- Pocket Constitution
- Legislative Veto (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- INS v. Chada, 462 U.S. 919 (1983), Justia
- Constitution, Article I, Section 7, Clauses 2 and 3
- Legislative Vetoes After Chadha, CRS Report RS22132 (8-page PDF)
The Legislative Veto
8. J. Recess and Adjournment
- Published Schedules of the House and Senate
- The Constitution of the United States, Article. I. Section. 5. Membership, Rules, Journals, Adjournment
- Adjournment to a Day and Time Certain (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Calendars & Schedules, Senate.gov
- Calendar of Business (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Recess (CongressionalGlossary.com)
What Does Congress Do On Recess? | Ron’s Office Hours | NPR
- Adjourn (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Legislative Day (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Adjournment sine die (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Sessions, Adjournments, and Recesses of Congress, CRS Report R42977 (31-page PDF)
David Hawkings’ Whiteboard: Is August Recess Work or Play?
8. K. Senate Morning Business
- Unanimous Consent Agreement / Time Limitation Agreement (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Morning Hour / Morning Business (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Calendar of Business (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Flow of Business: A Typical Day on the Senate Floor, CRS Report 98-865 (8-page PDF)
Senate Session 2011-12-07 (11:30:09-12:35:58)
- Calling Up Business on the Senate Floor, CRS Report 98-836 (8-page PDF)
- How Measures Are Brought to the Senate Floor: A Brief Introduction, CRS Report RS20668 (10-page PDF)
8. L. House Special Orders
- Cloture / Rule XXII / Nuclear Option (Congressional Glossary)
- Closed Rule / Modified Closed Rule / Special Rule / Open Rule (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Rules (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Special Order Speeches and Other Forms of Non-Legislative Debate in the House, CRS Report RS21174 (7-page PDF)
- “Non-Legislative Debate in the House: One-Minute, Morning-Hour, and Special-Order Speeches,” CRS Report R46626 (17-page PDF)
- Special Order Speeches: Current House Practices, CRS Report RL30136 (12-page PDF)
- Video Broadcasting of Congressional Proceedings, CRS Report R44665 (21-page PDF)
8. M. Rulings and Appeals of Rulings of the Chair
- Chapter 5.I. The Nuclear Option, in Congressional Procedure
- Appeal (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Point of Order (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Precedents of the House of Representatives / Cannon’s / Deschler’s / Hinds’ / House Practice (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Quorum (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Points of Order, Rulings, and Appeals in the Senate, CRS Report 98-306 (7-page PDF)
- Points of Order, Rulings, and Appeals in the House of Representatives, CRS Report 98-307 (6-page PDF)
8. N. Expelling a Member or Denying a Seat to a Member-Elect
- Pocket Constitution
- Constitution, Article I, Section 5
- Exclusion / Disorderly Behaviour / Censure / Reprimand / Expulsion / Ethics (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Precedents of the House of Representatives / Cannon’s / Deschler’s / Hinds’ / House Practice (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Expulsion and Censure Actions Taken by the Full Senate Against Members, CRS Report 93-875 (35-page PDF)
House Votes to Censure Rangel
- Expulsion, Censure, Reprimand, and Fine: Legislative Discipline in the House of Representatives, CRS Report RL31382 (29-page PDF)
- Expulsion of Members of Congress: Legal Authority and Historical Practice, CRS Report R45078 (28-page PDF)
Adam Clayton Powell vs. Congress
- Expulsion and Censure, Senate
- List of Individuals Expelled, Censured, or Reprimanded in the U.S. House of Representatives, House
- Discipline & Punishment, House
- Powell v. McCormack, 395 U.S. 486 (1969), Justia
8. O. Presidential Election
- Pocket Constitution
- Constitution, Article II, Section 1
- Constitution, 12th Amendment
- Electoral College (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Election of the President and Vice President by Congress: Contingent Election, CRS Report RS20300 (8-page PDF)
Electoral college | American civics | US History | Khan Academy
- The Electoral College: How It Works in Contemporary Presidential Elections, CRS Reports RL32611 (34-page PDF)
- The Electoral College: A 2020 Presidential Election Timeline, CRS Insight IF11641 (5-page PDF)
- Electoral College Reform: Contemporary Issues for Congress, CRS Report R43824 (35-page PDF)
- The Electoral College: An Overview and Analysis of Reform Proposals, CRS Report RL30804 (35-page PDF)
- What is the Electoral College? NARA
- Electoral College, NARA
8. P. Presidential Succession
- Pocket Constitution
- Constitution, Article II, Section 1
- Presidential Succession (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- President of the Senate / President Pro Tempore (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Constitution, 25th Amendment
Presidential Succession Explained: American Government Review
- Presidential Succession: An Overview with Analysis of Legislation Proposed in the 109th Congress, CRS Report RL32969 (30-page PDF)
- Presidential Succession: Perspectives, Contemporary Analysis, and 110th Congress Proposed Legislation, CRS Report RL34692 (35-page PDF)
- 25th Amendment, Annotated Constitution LII
- Presidential and Vice Presidential Succession: Overview and Current Legislation, CRS Report RL31761 (30-page PDF)
- Presidential Succession Act, 3 U.S.C. § 19, LII
- Presidential Succession Act, Senate
8. Q. The Courts
- Pocket Constitution
- Constitution, Article III, Section 1
- The Constitution of the United States: Amendments 1-10, the Bill of Rights, Preamble
- Judiciary Act of 1789, Library of Congress
- Advice and Consent / Plum Book / Presidential Appointment (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Conference / Conference Committee (CongressionalGlossary.com)
Article III For Dummies: The Judiciary Explained
- Judiciary Appropriations FY2016, CRS Report R44078 (16-page PDF)
- Judiciary Appropriations, FY2017, CRS Report R44526 (17-page PDF)
- Judiciary Appropriations, FY2018, CRS Report R44935 (17-page PDF)
- Judiciary Appropriations, FY2021, CRS Report R46747 (33-page PDF)
8. R. Amending the Constitution
- Pocket Constitution
- Constitution, Article V
- Bill of Rights
- Quorum (CongressionalGlossary.com)
Article V for Dummies: The Amendment Procedure Explained
Amendments
Also see Amending the Constitution; Bill of Rights Card, from Two Seas Media.
9. Conclusion
- Pocket Constitution
- Closed Rule / Modified Closed Rule / Special Rule / Open Rule (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Cloture / Rule XXII / Nuclear Option (Congressional Glossary)
- Conference / Conference Committee (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Amendment Tree / Filling the Tree (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Hold (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Reconciliation / Reconciliation Instruction (CongressionalGlossary.com)
- Malinski v. New York, 324 U.S. 401, 414 (1945), Justia
Glossary
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