Seniority / Junior Senator / Senior Senator (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Seniority / Junior Senator / Senior Senator Cartoon explanation here. The status given members according to their length of service in the chamber, which entitles a member with greater seniority to preferential treatment in matters such as committee assignments. In the House, the Press Gallery … 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

Floor / Aisle / Candy Desk / Gallery (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Floor / Aisle / Candy Desk / Gallery “The Floor” describes the actual physical chambers of the House and the Senate, in the Capitol Building, in Washington, DC. These are the only places where legislation can pass. The aisle is the space between the minority … Read more

House / House of Representatives (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms House / House of Representatives The House of Representatives, as distinct from the Senate, although each body is a “house” or “chamber” of Congress. Established by the Constitution, Article I, Section 2. See “A Note About Usage: ‘Congress’.” When members of the House and House … Read more