“The Debt Limit in 2021,” CRS Insight IN11702, July 30, 2021 (6-page PDF) “Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables,” CRS Report 97-1011, July 29, 2021 (34-page PDF) “Budget Reconciliation Measures Enacted into Law: 1980-2021,” CRS Report R40480, July 28, 2021 (19-page PDF) “House Office of Congressional Ethics: History, Authority, and Procedures,” … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Authorization / Authorization Act Authorization – Provision in law that establishes or continues a program or agency and authorizes appropriations for it. Basic, substantive legislation that establishes or continues the legal operation of a federal program or agency, either indefinitely or for a specific period … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute / Committee Substitute Full Committee Markup: FY 2018 Defense & Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute: Usually an amendment that seeks to replace the entire text of a bill. Passage of … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Yeas and Nays photo credit: dhendrix73 Yeas and Nays: A vote in which members respond “aye” or “no” on a question. Their names are called in alphabetical order The Constitution requires that yea-and-nay votes be taken and recorded when requested by one-fifth of the members … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Account / Appropriation Account photo credit: kenteegardin Hearing: Environmental Protection Agency Budget Account: A separate financial reporting unit for budget, management, and/or accounting purposes. All budgetary transactions are recorded in accounts, but not all accounts are budgetary in nature. Some accounts do not … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Discretionary usually modifies “spending,” “appropriation,” or “amount.” Discretionary spending refers to outlays from budget authority that is provided in and controlled by annual appropriation acts. Discretionary appropriation refers to those budgetary resources that are provided in appropriation acts, other than those that fund mandatory programs. … Read more