“The OPEN Government Data Act: A Primer,” CRS In Focus IF12299, December 29, 2022 (5-page PDF) “The Debt Limit Since 2011,” CRS Report R43389, December 23, 2022 (44-page PDF) “Penny: History and Current Status,” CRS Report IF12293, December 22, 2022 (5-page PDF) “Congressional Oversight Manual,” CRS Report RL30240, December 22, 2022 (140-page PDF) “The Right … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Regular Meeting Day Senate Rule XXVI requires that all committees designate at least one day a month on which it will meet to transact business. Additional meetings may be called by the chairman or by demand of a majority of a committee’s members. Also see … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Legislative Day Time a chamber meets after an adjournment until the time it next adjourns. The “day” extending from the time either chamber meets after an adjournment until the time it next adjourns. Because the House normally adjourns from day to day, legislative days and … 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 Quorum Call A call of the roll to establish whether a quorum is present — 218 in the House and 100 in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union; a quorum in the Senate is 51. If any senator “suggests … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Morning Hour / Morning Business The time set-aside at the beginning of each legislative day for the consideration of regular, routine business. The “hour” is of indefinite duration in the House, where a period is set aside at the beginning of the day for members … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Floor Manager photo credit: karindalziel A member who has the task of steering legislation through floor debate and the amendment process to a final vote in the House or the Senate. Floor managers usually are the chairmen or ranking members of the committee that reported … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Speaker The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, selected by the caucus of the party to which she belongs and formally elected by the whole House. Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution states: “The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Well Open space in front of the House chamber between members’ seats and the podium. Members in the House may speak from lecterns in the well. A censure resolution requires the member to go to the well of the House, where the presiding officer, normally … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Adjournment to a Day and Time Certain photo credit: Brett Jordan Adjournment to a Day and Time Certain is adjournment under a motion or resolution that fixes the next time of meeting for one chamber or both chambers. Under the Constitution, neither chamber can adjourn … Read more