A Capitol Learning Audio CourseTM This nine-session course gives you a comprehensive look at the organization and practices of the U.S. Congress. Learn about the procedures of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate from the introduction and referral of legislation to reconciling differences between House-passed and Senate-passed legislation. Course 1: Introduction and … Read more
A Capitol Learning Audio CourseTM This nine-session course gives you a comprehensive look at the organization and practices of the U.S. Congress. Learn about the procedures of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate from the introduction and referral of legislation to reconciling differences between House-passed and Senate-passed legislation. Course 1: Introduction and … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Cluster Voting Why back-in parking sucks, public outcry in Victor Idaho Cluster Voting: Allowance for sequential recorded votes on a series of measures or amendments that the House finished debating at an earlier time or on a previous date. The Speaker may reduce … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Recognize / Recognition To speak on the floor of the House or Senate, a member must be “recognized” by the presiding officer. In the House, the presiding officer has considerable discretion in recognition and her rulings are rarely challenged (House Rule XVII – Decorum And … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Mace Symbolism in the House Chamber The mace is the symbol of authority of the House of Representatives. The mace is 46 inches high and consists of 13 thin ebony rods representing the original 13 states of the union. The rods are bound … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Hour Rule / One Hour Rule House Session 2012-02-01 One-Hour Rule: Rules are considered in the House under the one-hour rule, with time controlled by a majority floor manager. The majority floor manager customarily yields thirty minutes to the minority floor … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Appeal the Ruling of the Chair The right to appeal from a decision of the Chair on a question of order is derived from the English Parliament and is recognized under clause 5 of House Rule I, which dates from 1789. This right of appeal, … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Union Calendar Bills that directly or indirectly appropriate money or raise revenue are placed on this House calendar according to the date they are reported from committee. The Constitution specifies that all bills for raising revenue originate in the House (Article I, Section 7). House … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Five-Minute Rule photo credit: Moe_ A debate-limiting rule of the House that is invoked when the House sits as the Committee of the Whole. Under the rule, a member offering an amendment is allowed to speak five minutes in its favor, and an opponent of … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Committee of the Whole photo credit: flowercarole The Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, more often referred to as the “Committee of the Whole,” is the House of Representatives operating as a committee on which all 435 House members serve. … Read more