“Federalism-Based Limitations on Congressional Power: An Overview,” CRS Report R45323, January 31, 2023 (50-page PDF) “Discharge Procedure in the House,” CRS Report R45920, January 26, 2023 (8-page PDF) “Constituent Services: Overview and Resources,” CRS Report R44726, January 23, 2023 (12-page PDF) “Enforceable Spending Allocations in the Congressional Budget Process: 302(a)s and 302(b)s,” CRS Report R47388, … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Simple Resolution Resolution / Simple Resolution: Sentiment of one chamber on an issue, or a measure to carry out the administrative or procedural business of the chamber. Does not become law. Designated as H. Res. or S. Res. A simple resolution deals with the internal … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Reconsider a Vote Reconsider: Parliamentary practice that gives a chamber one opportunity to review its action on a motion, amendment, measure, or any other proposition. A motion to reconsider the vote by which an action was taken has, until it is disposed of, the effect … Read more
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
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Pay-as-You-Go (PAYGO) photo credit: lobo235 A budgetary enforcement mechanism, a process by which direct spending increases or revenue decreases must be offset so that the deficit is not increased or the surplus reduced. A statutory PAYGO requirement was in effect from 1991 through 2002; the … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Unified Budget Funding the Government: The Budget Process and Omnibus Spending Bills [Article I Initiative] Under budget concepts set forth in the Report of the President’s Commission on Budget Concepts (October, 1967), a comprehensive budget in which receipts and outlays from federal and … Read more
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
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Direct Spending / Mandatory Spending: Budget authority, and the resulting outlays, provided in laws other than appropriations acts. Spending controlled outside of annual appropriations acts, specifically including the Food Stamp (now SNAP) program; also referred to as mandatory spending. As defined by the Balanced Budget … Read more