House / House of Representatives (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms House / House of Representatives The House of Representatives, as distinct from the Senate, although each body is a “house” or “chamber” of Congress. Established by the Constitution, Article I, Section 2. See “A Note About Usage: ‘Congress’.” When members of the House and House … Read more

Speaker (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Speaker The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, selected by the caucus of the party to which she belongs and formally elected by the whole House. Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution states: “The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other … Read more

President of the Senate / President Pro Tempore (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms President of the Senate / President Pro Tempore photo credit: gualtiero President of the Senate: Under the Constitution (Article I, Section 3), the Vice President of the United States presides over the Senate and is allowed to cast a vote in the event of a … Read more

Appeal (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Appeal photo credit: mikecogh A member’s challenge of a ruling or decision made by the presiding officer of the chamber. In the Senate, when the chair rules on a point of order, any senator may appeal the ruling. The full Senate makes a final decision … Read more

Presiding Officer (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Presiding Officer photo credit: Wonderlane Senate: A majority-party senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing members to speak, and interpreting the Senate’s rules, practices and precedents. House: The Speaker is the presiding officer in the House of … Read more

Ranking Minority Member / Ranking Member (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Ranking Minority Member / Ranking Member photo credit: Tambako the Jaguar The highest ranking (and usually longest serving) minority-party member of a standing committee or subcommittee. Senators may not serve as ranking minority member on more than one standing committee. The “Ranking Member” is the … Read more

Basic Guide to Party Leadership in Congress

Party leadership is responsible for bringing efficiency and order to the legislative body. Party leaders have partisan and institutional functions. The responsibility of the majority leadership is to set the agenda as well as determine legislative priorities and political strategies, assess support for legislation, schedule measures for floor action and round up votes for the … Read more

The Constitution of the United States: Amendment 20 (Twentieth Amendment – Presidential, Congressional Terms)

The Constitution of the United States: Amendment 20 (20th Amendment) Amendment XX. (Presidential, Congressional Terms) Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23, 1933. Note: Article I, section 4, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of this amendment. In addition, a portion of the 12th amendment was superseded by section 3. Section … Read more

The Constitution of the United States, Article. I. Section. 2. The House

The United States Constitution Article. I. (The Legislative Branch) Section. 2. (The House) Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each … Read more