From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Recognize / Recognition To speak on the floor of the House or Senate, a member must be “recognized” by the presiding officer. In the House, the presiding officer has considerable discretion in recognition and her rulings are rarely challenged (House Rule XVII – Decorum And … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Refer / Referral Muddy Waters – Champagne & Reefer Refer: Assignment of a measure to committee Once introduced in the House or Senate, or passed by one chamber and sent to the other, most measures are referred to committee. Referral to committee occurs … Read more
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
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Chairman / Chair / Chairwoman The presiding officer of a committee or subcommittee. In the Senate, chairmanship is based on seniority of committee tenure, but a senator may not chair more than one standing committee. Traditionally, the majority party member with the greatest seniority on … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Vice President Under the Constitution (Article I, Section 3), the vice president serves as President of the Senate. He may vote in the Senate in the case of a tie but is not required to. The President Pro Tempore (and others designated by him) usually … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Floor Leaders In the House, the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader represent their parties on the House floor. They are assisted by whips. The House, with its large membership, has chosen majority and minority leaders since the 19th century to expedite legislative business and … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms House / House of Representatives The House of Representatives, as distinct from the Senate, although each body is a “house” or “chamber” of Congress. Established by the Constitution, Article I, Section 2. See “A Note About Usage: ‘Congress’.” When members of the House and House … Read more
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
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Presiding Officer photo credit: Wonderlane Senate: A majority-party senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing members to speak, and interpreting the Senate’s rules, practices and precedents. House: The Speaker is the presiding officer in the House of … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms The United States Congress consists of two separate legislative bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Jointly these two separate legislative bodies are referred to as “Congress”. Congress meets in the United States Capitol building. Congress, n. A body of men who meet to … Read more