Bipartisan (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Bipartisan When members from two different political parties (in the contemporary Congress, Democrats and Republicans) work together to find a common solution, or when members from both parties work together in a group or jointly sponsor or co-sponsor legislation. In the House, the Speaker consults … Read more

Concurrent Resolution on the Budget (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Concurrent Resolution on the Budget photo credit: JPC24 The Concurrent Resolution on the Budget is often referred to as the Congressional Budget. A concurrent resolution adopted by both chambers of Congress as part of the annual budget and appropriations process, setting forth an overall budget … Read more

Budget Act (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Budget Act photo credit: phauly The common name for the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974, which established the current budget process and created the Congressional Budget Office. The act also put limits on presidential authority to refuse to spend appropriated money. Titles I-IX … Read more

Budget Resolution (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Budget Resolution photo credit: haydnseek Legislation in the form of a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget, but not requiring the president’s signature. The budget resolution establishes various budget totals, divides spending totals into functional categories (e.g., transportation), and may include reconciliation instructions to … Read more

Discretionary / Discretionary Spending (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Discretionary usually modifies “spending,” “appropriation,” or “amount.” Discretionary spending refers to outlays from budget authority that is provided in and controlled by annual appropriation acts. Discretionary appropriation refers to those budgetary resources that are provided in appropriation acts, other than those that fund mandatory programs. … Read more

Joint Explanatory Statement of Managers (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Joint Explanatory Statement of Managers Portion of the conference report providing the history, explanation, and intent of the conferees. The conference report and joint explanatory statement are two distinct documents. The conference report contains a formal statement of the procedural actions the conferees took and … 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