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

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

Privilege / Privileged Questions / Question of Privilege (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Privilege / Privileged Questions / Question of Privilege Privilege relates to the rights of members of Congress and to relative priority of the motions and actions they may make in their respective chambers. The two are distinct. “Privileged questions” deal with legislative business. “Questions of … Read more

Dilatory Motion or Tactic (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Dilatory Motion or Tactic A motion made for the purpose of killing time and preventing action on a bill or amendment by a chamber or a committee. House rules outlaw dilatory motions, but enforcement is largely within the discretion of the Speaker or chairman of … Read more

Appeal (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Appeal photo credit: mikecogh A member’s challenge of a ruling or decision made by the presiding officer of the chamber. In the Senate, when the chair rules on a point of order, any senator may appeal the ruling. The full Senate makes a final decision … Read more

Point of Order (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Point of Order photo credit: lightsinmotion An objection raised by a member, in committee or on the floor, that the chamber is departing from rules governing its conduct of business. The objector cites the rule violated, and the chair sustains the objection if correctly made. … Read more

Waiver Rule (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Waiver Rule: A special rule in the House that waives points of order against a measure or an amendment. In the House, the prohibition against motions to recommit concurrent resolutions on the budget under Section 305(a)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is typically … Read more