Recent CRS Reports, January 2021

“The U.S. Income Distribution: Trends and Issues,” CRS Report R44705 (55-page PDF) “Federal Criminal Law: January 6, 2021, Unrest at the Capitol,” CRS Legal Sidebar LSB10564 (9-page PDF) “Cybersecurity Concerns Related to the Recent Breach of U.S. Capitol Security,” CRS Insight IN11572 (5-page PDF) “Domestic Terrorism and the Attack on the U.S. Capitol,” CRS Insight … Read more

Impeachable Offenses Need not be Criminal Offenses

Despite what Trump’s supporters say, however, the president can commit an impeachable high crime without violating the federal criminal law. To conclude otherwise would be to ignore the original meaning, purpose and history of the impeachment power; to subvert the constitutional design of a system of checks and balances; and to leave the nation unnecessarily … Read more

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

Hour Rule / One Hour Rule (CongressionalGlossary.com)

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

President of the United States / State of the Union (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms President of the United States / State of the Union  

Senate (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Senate The Senate, as distinct from the House of Representatives, although each body is a “house” or “chamber” of Congress. Established by the Constitution, Article I, Section 3. The size of the Senate, currently 100 members, is established by the Constitution (“The Senate of the … Read more

Impeach / Impeachment (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Impeach / Impeachment The House has sole power to impeach (Article. I. Section. 2.), and the Senate has sole power to try an impeachment (Article. I. Section. 3.). Senate deliberations during impeachment trials may be held in secret session. Also see Secret Session; § 8.100 … Read more

Precedents of the House of Representatives / Cannon’s / Deschler’s / Hinds’ / House Practice (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Precedents of the House of Representatives / Cannon’s / Deschler’s / Hinds’ / House Practice   House Parliamentarian discusses congressional precedent and rules with Foxx   Precedent: Previous ruling by a presiding officer that becomes part of the procedures of a chamber. Each chamber of … Read more

Journal (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Journal photo credit: grongar The official record of the proceedings of the House and Senate. The Journal records the actions taken in each chamber, such as motions agreed to and votes taken, but unlike the Congressional Record, it does not include the substantially verbatim report … Read more

Executive Session / Executive Business / Secret Session (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Executive Session / Executive Business / Secret Session photo credit: glasseyes view Executive Session (1) A meeting of a Senate or House committee (or occasionally of either chamber) that only its members may attend. Witnesses regularly appear at committee meetings in executive session – for … Read more