“Christmas Tree” Bill (CongressionalGlossary.com)

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

Nongermane Amendment (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Nongermane Amendment photo credit: bfelice An amendment that would add new and different subject matter to, or may be irrelevant to, the bill or other measure it seeks to amend. Senate rules permit nongermane amendments in all but a few specific circumstances. The amending process … Read more

Amendment Tree / Filling the Tree (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Amendment Tree / Filling the Tree     photo credit: kewl     “Amendment trees” are charts that illustrate certain principles of precedence that guide the Senate amendment process. When all of the amendments permitted simultaneously by these principles of precedence have been offered and … Read more