From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Congressional Ethics Panel Hits Rangel With 13 Ethics Charges A member of Congress works in an environment with numerous ethical rules, and with constraints on official, political, and personal activities. These limits exist in laws, regulations, chamber rules, interpretations, and practices. The expectations … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms CODEL / Congressional Delegation / Junket Introduction of the U.S. Congressional Delegation A trip abroad by a group of members of Congress, usually bi-partisan. Committees sponsor fact finding travel to countries or regions to obtain first-hand information on foreign policy issues. These missions … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Exclusion / Disorderly Behaviour / Censure / Reprimand / Expulsion Members of Congress are subject to disciplinary procedures in their respective chambers. The Constitution states (Article I, Section 5, cl. 2): “Each House may . . . punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Lobby / Lobbying A group seeking to influence the passage or defeat of legislation. Originally the term referred to persons frequenting the lobbies or corridors of legislative chambers to speak to lawmakers. The definition of a lobby and the activity of lobbying is a matter … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Immunity (1) The constitutional privilege of members of Congress (Article. I. Section. 6.) to make verbal statements on the floor and in committee for which they cannot be sued or arrested for slander or libel. Also, freedom from arrest while traveling to or from sessions … Read more
When you are involved in a legislative event, it can be helpful to understand a few key tips that can help things to go much more smoothly. First, introductions to policymakers should be brief. Lobbyists often make the mistake of speaking too long in introductions while attempting to do a suitable job. An effective introduction … Read more