Parliamentary Inquiry (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Parliamentary Inquiry   Parliamentary Inquiry regarding the New York Yankees – November 5, 2009   A question from the floor to the presiding officer by a member requesting a clarification of the procedural situation on the floor. Responses to parliamentary inquiries are not rulings of … Read more

Parliamentarian (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Parliamentarian   House Session 2012-03-27 (19:04:25-20:19:32)   The Senate and the House each has an Office of the Parliamentarian to provide expert advice and assistance on questions relating to the meaning and application of that chamber’s legislative rules, precedents, and practices. House: The House Parliamentarian … Read more

Point of Order (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Point of Order photo credit: lightsinmotion An objection raised by a member, in committee or on the floor, that the chamber is departing from rules governing its conduct of business. The objector cites the rule violated, and the chair sustains the objection if correctly made. … Read more

A Brief Overview of the Rules of Congress

At times it seems as though Congress is disorganized, but in reality Congress operates according to a set of internal rules that are meant to provide operational structure. These rules begin with basics that are outlined in the Constitution. Each chamber of Congress also has written rules and extensive precedents that are derived from the … Read more