Congress’s contempt power is the means by which Congress responds to certain acts that in its view obstruct the legislative process. Contempt may be used either to coerce compliance, to punish the contemnor, and/or to remove the obstruction. Although arguably any action that directly obstructs the effort of Congress to exercise its constitutional powers may … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Contempt of Congress Issa Lays Out Contempt of Congress Charges for Eric Holder Regarding Fast and Furious(ATF gunwalking scandal, aka Fast and Furious) Contempt of Congress 1: The power of Congress to punish for contempt is inextricably related to the power of Congress … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Executive Privilege / Qualified Privilege Mark Rozell – The Looming Battle Over Executive Privilege The phrase “executive privilege” is a shorthand reference to the “qualified privilege” of the executive to decline to respond to a request for information–documents or testimony or both–from either … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Privilege / Privileged Questions / Question of Privilege Privilege relates to the rights of members of Congress and to relative priority of the motions and actions they may make in their respective chambers. The two are distinct. “Privileged questions” deal with legislative business. “Questions of … 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 Immunity (1) The constitutional privilege of members of Congress (Article. I. Section. 6.) to make verbal statements on the floor and in committee for which they cannot be sued or arrested for slander or libel. Also, freedom from arrest while traveling to or from sessions … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Journal photo credit: grongar The official record of the proceedings of the House and Senate. The Journal records the actions taken in each chamber, such as motions agreed to and votes taken, but unlike the Congressional Record, it does not include the substantially verbatim report … Read more