“The Debt Limit,” CRS In Focus IF10292, November 22, 2022 (5-page PDF) “Offering an Amendment on the House Floor: Current Practice,” CRS Report R47314, November 22, 2022 (21-page PDF) “Constituent Services: Overview and Resources,” CRS In Focus IF10503, November 22, 2022 (5-page PDF) “Expiration of the Discretionary Spending Limits: Frequently Asked Questions,” CRS Report R46752, … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Pro Forma Session / Recess Appointment Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) chairs this 9-second session of the United States Senate on December 26, 2007, to prevent recess appointments by President Bush. Pro Forma Session: From the Latin, meaning “as a matter of form.” A … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Legislative Session That part of the Senate’s daily session in which it considers legislative business (bills, resolutions, and actions related thereto). In the House, no legislative business is conducted during morning hour. Also see Calendar of Business; Executive Calendar; House Calendar; Private Calendar; Union Calendar; … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Conditional Adjournment When Congress adjourns for more than three days, authority is often provided the Speaker and President Pro Tempore (or the Senate Majority Leader) to reconvene Congress at an earlier date to address an emergency or important issue. This authority is provided in the … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Majority Leader The Majority Leader is elected by her party colleagues. In the Senate, the Majority Leader, in collaboration with the Minority Leader, directs the legislation schedule for the Senate. Each is her party’s spokesperson and chief strategist. In the House, the Majority Leader is … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Lame Duck / “Lame Duck” Session When Congress (or either chamber) reconvenes in an even-numbered year following the November general elections to consider various items of business. Some lawmakers who return for this session will not be in the next Congress. Hence, they are informally … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Adjournment sine die photo credit: KalasMannen Final adjournment of an annual or two-year session of Congress. Adjournment without fixing a definite day for reconvening; literally “adjournment without a day.” A session can continue when, under the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, it automatically terminates. Both … Read more