“Senate Select Committee on Ethics: A Brief History of Its Evolution and Jurisdiction,” CRS Report RL30650, March 31, 2023 (11-page PDF) “House Office of Congressional Ethics: History, Authority, and Procedures,” CRS Report R40760, March 31, 2023 (40-page PDF) “House Committee on Ethics: A Brief History of Its Evolution and Jurisdiction,” CRS Report 98-15, March 31, … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Cosponsor House and Senate measures may have numerous sponsors in addition to the member who proposes the legislation. It is common in both chambers for the key proponent of a measure (the sponsor) to send a Dear Colleague letter (in print or electronically) to other … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms By Request House (House Rule XII – Receipt and Referral of Measures) and Senate rules permit a member to introduce a measure at the request of the president, an executive agency, or a private individual although that member may be opposed to the legislation. The … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Original Bill A bill drafted by a committee and introduced by its chair when the committee reports the measure back to its chamber. It is not referred back to the committee after introduction. The Senate allows all committees to report original bills; the House generally … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Bills Introduced / Bills Referred / Sponsor Bills Introduced: In both the House and Senate, any number of members may join in introducing a single bill or resolution. The first member listed is the sponsor of the bill, and all members’ names following his or … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Cloakroom / Hotline Donnald K. Anderson: Running the Democratic Cloakroom Democratic and Republican cloakrooms adjacent to the Senate and House chambers serve as gathering places for party members to discuss chamber business privately. Each cloakroom operates a “hotline” (telephone cloakroom recording) for party … Read more