Richard Arenberg’s “Congressional Procedure” from TheCapitol.Net

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

Adoption / Adopted / Agreed To (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Adoption / Adopted / Agreed To     U.S. HOUSE RESOLUTION PRESSES TURKEY TO RETURN STOLEN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES     Adoption / Adopted: Usual parliamentary term for approval of conference report. Under House Rule XI – Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business, “Each standing committee … Read more

Sense of the Congress / Sense of the House / Sense of the Senate (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Sense of the Congress / Sense of the House / Sense of the Senate   H. Res. 32 – Expressing The Sense of the House of Representatives On Tucson Shootings   One or both chambers of Congress may formally express opinions about subjects of current … Read more

Joint Session / Joint Meeting (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Joint Session / Joint Meeting Joint Session: When the House and Senate meet together to conduct formal business or to hear an address by the president of the United States. A formal meeting that occurs when both houses adopt a concurrent resolution. A joint session, … Read more

Concurrent Resolution on the Budget (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Concurrent Resolution on the Budget photo credit: JPC24 The Concurrent Resolution on the Budget is often referred to as the Congressional Budget. A concurrent resolution adopted by both chambers of Congress as part of the annual budget and appropriations process, setting forth an overall budget … Read more

Concurrent Resolution (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Concurrent Resolution A concurrent resolution, designated H. Con. Res. in the House or S. Con. Res. in the Senate, must be adopted by both houses but is not sent to the president for his signature and therefore does not have the force of law. A … Read more

Bills / Measure / Passed (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Bills / Measure / Passed A bill is the most commonly used form for legislation. A bill is prefixed with an H.R. in the House and with an S. in the Senate. A number assigned at the time of introduction signifies the order in which … Read more

Adjourn for More than Three Days (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Adjourn for More than Three Days Three Princesses found at MegaCon 2010 in Orlando, Florida. By Sam Howzit Under the Constitution (Article. I. Section. 5.), neither chamber may adjourn for more than three days without the approval of the other. Such approval is obtained in … Read more

Budget Resolution (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Budget Resolution photo credit: haydnseek Legislation in the form of a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget, but not requiring the president’s signature. The budget resolution establishes various budget totals, divides spending totals into functional categories (e.g., transportation), and may include reconciliation instructions to … Read more

Act / Act of Congress / Law (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Act photo credit: Ruth L An Act of Congress (also called Act) is legislation (a bill or joint resolution) that has passed both chambers of Congress in identical form, been signed into law by the president, or passed over his veto, thus becoming law. A … Read more