From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Colloquy Senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee hold colloquy on Senate floor Discussion between members during floor proceedings, generally to put on the record a mutual understanding about the intent of a provision or amendment. The discussion is often scripted in advance. Sens. Rand … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Refer / Referral Muddy Waters – Champagne & Reefer Refer: Assignment of a measure to committee Once introduced in the House or Senate, or passed by one chamber and sent to the other, most measures are referred to committee. Referral to committee occurs … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Sense of the Congress / Sense of the House / Sense of the Senate H. Res. 32 – Expressing The Sense of the House of Representatives On Tucson Shootings One or both chambers of Congress may formally express opinions about subjects of current … 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 Joint Resolution A joint resolution, designated H.J. Res. or S.J. Res. Requires the approval of both houses and the signature of the president, just as a bill does, and has the force of law if approved. There is no practical difference between a bill and … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Nongermane Amendment photo credit: bfelice An amendment that would add new and different subject matter to, or may be irrelevant to, the bill or other measure it seeks to amend. Senate rules permit nongermane amendments in all but a few specific circumstances. The amending process … Read more