“Agency Rescissions of Legislative Rules,” CRS Report R46673

Federal administrative agencies carry out their statutorily prescribed responsibilities in many ways. Perhaps most significantly, agencies may, pursuant to congressionally delegated authority, promulgate rules with the force of law, commonly known as “regulations,” “substantive rules,” or “legislative rules.” The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) establishes the procedural framework with which agencies generally must comply when issuing … Read more

Executive Branch (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Executive Branch   EXECUTIVE BRANCH – Cram for the Exam   The president is the head of the executive branch of the government, which includes many departments and agencies. The power of the Executive Branch is vested in the President of the United States, who … Read more

Federal Register / Rulemaking / Unified Agenda (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Federal Register / Rulemaking / Unified Agenda In the course of its lawmaking, Congress often delegates quasi-legislative authority to executive departments and agencies so that they might effectively implement laws and carry out the broader policy determinations that Congress itself made. Departments and agencies engage … Read more

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs / OIRA (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs / OIRA The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA, pronounced “oh-eye-ruh”) is a federal office established by Congress in the 1980 Paperwork Reduction Act. It is part of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which is an … Read more

Rules (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Rules The term “rules” has two specific congressional meanings. A rule may be a standing order governing the conduct of House or Senate business that is listed among the permanent rules of either chamber. The rules deal with duties of officers, the order of business, … Read more