From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Senate The Senate, as distinct from the House of Representatives, although each body is a “house” or “chamber” of Congress. Established by the Constitution, Article I, Section 3. The size of the Senate, currently 100 members, is established by the Constitution (“The Senate of the … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms By Request House (House Rule XII – Receipt and Referral of Measures) and Senate rules permit a member to introduce a measure at the request of the president, an executive agency, or a private individual although that member may be opposed to the legislation. The … 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 Reading of Bills Rand Paul Refuses to Vote Without Reading the Bill Traditional parliamentary procedure required bills to be read three times before they were passed. This custom is of little modern significance. Normally a bill is considered to have its first reading … 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 Executive Calendar This is a non-legislative calendar in the Senate on which executive business, presidential documents such as treaties and nominations are listed. The Senate’s Executive Calendar (PDF) is updated each day the Senate is in session. The executive calendar identifies executive resolutions, treaties, and … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Calendar of Business An agenda or list of business eligible for floor consideration. Each chamber decides which measures are discussed, and in what order, in accordance with its rules and practices. The Senate has two calendars, the Executive Calendar for treaties and nominations, and the … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Conference Report photo credit: ☺ Lee J Haywood The compromise product negotiated by the conference committee. The “conference report,” which is printed and available to Senators, is submitted to each chamber for its consideration, such as approval or disapproval. The conference report contains a formal … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Unanimous Consent photo credit: levork Proceedings of the House or Senate and action on legislation often take place upon the unanimous consent of the chamber, whether or not a rule of the chamber is being violated. Unanimous consent is used to expedite floor action and … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Unanimous Consent Agreement / Time Limitation Agreement A device used in the Senate to expedite legislation by spelling out the process for considering a proposal. Much of the Senate’s legislative business, dealing with both minor and controversial issues, is conducted through unanimous consent or unanimous … Read more