ALEXANDRIA, VA – (October 8, 2018) – Just in time for the November midterm elections, TheCapitol.Net is pleased to announce the publication of a major new reference work, Congressional Procedure: A Practical Guide to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress, by Richard A. Arenberg. If the U.S. Constitution is the rule book, this is … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms “Must Pass” Bill A vitally important measure that Congress must enact, such as annual money bills to fund operations of the government. Because of their must-pass quality, these measures often attract “riders” (unrelated policy provisos). Members of the House and Senate announced on Monday that … 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 “Christmas Tree” Bill “Christmas Tree” Bill: Informal nomenclature / jargon for a bill containing many riders / amendments unrelated, i.e, nongermane, to the bill’s subjects; usually refers to Senate measures. A bill on the Senate floor that attracts many, often unrelated, floor amendments. The amendments … 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 Engrossed Bill / Engrossed Measure photo credit: alancleaver_2000 The final official copy of a bill as passed by one chamber, with the text as amended by floor action and certified by the clerk of the House or the secretary of the Senate. After a measure … Read more