Congressional Glossary

The year in which a legislator was elected: in the Senate, referred to as Class I (term expires 2011), II (expires 2013), and III (expires 2015). Each of the two Senators is also referred to as senior (longest in office) and junior (newest in office). In the House, representatives are ranked by the year they came to the House; each Representativeis up for reelection every two years.

The chief administrative officer of the House. The clerk is responsible for maintaining legislative records and keeping official voting records. The clerk maintains a website at http://clerk.house.gov.

Rooms assigned to each party immediately outside the House and Senate chambers. Typically used for discussion between members so as not to be disruptive on the floor.

The legislative tactic used to end a filibuster (privilege of unlimited speech on the Senate floor). Cloture requires 60 votes.

Group of appointed legislators who write legislation and guide Congressional action on particular issues. The Chair of the committee is a member of the majority party, assigned the position by party leadership, who guides the committee and determines legislative action. The Ranking Member of the committee is a member of the minority party, typically determined by seniority, who is the voice of the minority party in that committee. Click here for a link to the full listing of House committees. Click here for a link to the full listing of Senate committees. See also: Committee of the Whole, Joint Committee.

The entire House of Representatives meeting in the form of a committee. This allows for less stringent debate and simplified rules for passage. All money bills must be considered in committee of the whole.

Also known as the Ethics Committee, this House committee is responsible for investigating allegations of ethical violations by members of Congress, and enforcing penalties if a legislator is determined to have violated the rules. Committee website is at http://ethics.house.gov.

A panel of representatives and Senators used to resolve differences in similar bills with the object of passing the Constitutionally-mandated identical version from each house.

The Congressional Record is the daily publication of all the proceedings and debates of the U.S. Congress. The text contains records of votes, member speeches, committee testimony, etc. The Government Printing Office also makes the text available online, here.

Each chamber has three official office buildings (plus office space for minority & majority leaders within the Capitol itself). The Senate office buildings are Dirksen Senate Office Building, Russell Senate Office Building, and Hart Senate Office Building. The House office buildings are Longworth House Office Building, Cannon House Office Building, and Rayburn House Office Building.

The Congressional Research Service is the research arm of the U.S. Congress. They only respond to requests for information or analysis from members of Congress or Congressional staffers.

A non-legally binding statement of position on a certain issue from the Congress.

A continuing resolution allows the federal government to continue operating even if the fiscal year’s budget has not been approved by the Congress.

Works with a bill’s original sponsor to ensure passage of the legislation. Co-sponsors formally add their name to a list of supporters of the legislation.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is the fundraising arm of the House Democratic Caucus. Their website is at www.DCCC.org.

The formal group of all members of the Democratic Party serving in the House. The Caucus’ website is at www.dems.gov.

A memo from a member of Congress to his or her fellow members of Congress (“colleagues”). Typically Dear Colleague letters ask for support or co-sponsorship of legislation that the Congressman is sponsoring; they may also ask for colleagues to join them at important events, issue caucuses, or briefings.

A petition in the House, requiring 218 signatures, to remove (and bring to the floor for a vote) a bill that has been in committee for more than 30 days. This is a tactic that is rarely used.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is the fundraising arm of the Democratic Senate Caucus. The DSCC’s website is at www.dscc.org.

A specific provision within a piece of legislation that sets aside funds for a particular project.

Congress has a very specific set of rules governing gifts to members of Congress, and types of contact that are and are not appropriate. For more information on specifics, please see the Lobbying Compliance Handbook, at Lobbyists.info.

The Federal Register is the daily publication of all rules, proposed rules, and notices from the federal government.

The practice of allowing Senators unlimited speech on the Senate floor. This can be used to block passage of a piece of legislation – as long as the senator holds the floor, a vote cannot be held.

The “floor” refers to the floor of the chamber in which debate takes place (House or Senate). To take a bill to the floor means to bring it up for debate or vote. The Floor Managers are typically the committee chair and ranking member from the committee bringing each piece of legislation to debate or a vote. Each floor manager is responsible for allotting time to members who want to speak in support or opposition of the legislation. 

Allows members to use their signature as a postmark in lieu of paying for postage. The use of the franking privilege is restricted to official business and cannot contain campaign material. Items that will be franked are given oversight by a commission with members of both parties.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is tasked with ensuring accountability and fiscal responsibility in the legislative and executive branches.

Deliberate re-drawing of Congressional districts to take advantage of electoral trends. E.g., the party in power will re-draw district lines to ensure the maximum number of party-supporters in a district, thereby creating a “safe seat.” See Safe Seat.

The current office-holder of each seat. The Challenger(s) are those people running against an incumbent office-holder.

A committee composed of both Senators and Representatives. There are only four joint committees; they do not have legislative power but may only issue research and recommendations. The four committees are: Joint Library of Congress, Joint Printing, Joint Economic, and Joint Taxation.

Term used to denote lobbying interests, who often have offices located on K Street, Washington D.C. For more information on lobbying and free resources, visit www.Lobbyists.info.

Members who are not returning to their seats because of election defeats or resignations. A “lame duck Congress” happens between the November election and the start of a new Congress in early January.

The final version of a bill as passed by both chambers and signed by the president.

A political action committee controlled by a member of Congress that disburses money to campaigns he or she believes to be crucial to his or her party or individual political interests.

The majority leader is an elected position in each chamber, typically held by a long-serving member with a safe district and strong fundraising and team-building recommendations. The current serving Majority Leaders are: House, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.); Senate, Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

Election that occurs half-way through a presidential term, e.g. the 2010 election will be the midterm election for Barack Obama’s 2008-2012 term. Representatives must defend their seats every two years.

The minority leader is an elected officer of the minority party in each chamber. His or her duties include: guiding minority policy, enforcing party discipline, and serving as party spokesman in negotiations and discussions with the majority party. The current minority leaders are: Senate: Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); House, Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio).

The National Republican Congressional Committee is the fundraising arm of the House Republican Caucus. They are on the web at www.NRCC.org.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee is the fundraising arm of the Senate Republicans. Their website is www.NRSC.org.

An independent office tasked with overseeing ethical behavior in the Congress. Does not have enforcement power, may only refer situations and information to the official Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. The OCE’s website is http://oce.house.gov/.

The Office of Management and Budget, an executive branch agency given its authority by the President, is in charge of producing and maintaining the president’s annual budget. The current OMB director is economist Peter R. Orszag. The OMB’s website is www.whitehouse.gov/OMB.

Officer of the House or Senate tasked with ensuring compliance with the rules of the chamber.

Voting strictly how party leadership or the party base has determined all members of the party should vote.

The presiding officer of the Senate, in the absence of the vice president. Usually the most senior member of the majority party; currently held by Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV).

The vice president of the U.S. is ex-offico president of the Senate, although he rarely presides. Currently Vice President Joseph R. Biden (D).

“For the day,” a congressional officer appointed to fill a position temporarily. Typically appointed by the Speaker of the House or the President of the Senate, this legislator carries out official duties such as presiding over debate in the absence of the elected officer of the chamber. See Speaker Pro Tempore, President Pro Tempore.

A quorum is the requisite number of members for conducting official business (a simple majority). IN the House, the number is 218, while in the Senate, the number is 51. When business is being conducted, a member may suggest the absence of a quorum, which then triggers a calling of the roll – to bring members to the floor – known as a quorum call.

The process by which a bill is brought within existing budgetary constraints.

Typically happens after the Constitutionally-mandated census every ten years. Takes into account Constitutional limits for representation numbers.

The formal group of all Republicans serving in the House. Their website is at www.gop.gov.

A vote held on a specific question on the record – if present, each member must vote yes, no, or present.

Sets the guidelines for debate and amendment of a particular piece of legislation. Controlled by the majority party, with especial interest by the Speaker of the House.

A Congressional district that is considered safely in one party – i.e. one party has consistently controlled it and polled high within that district for a long period of time. Typically members in safe seats, who do not have to spend a lot of time or money campaigning end up with party leadership positions.

An appointed official who serves as the chief administrative officer of the Senate.

The coalition of Senators belonging to the Democratic Party. Their website is at: http://Democrats.Senate.gov.

Senate Republican Conference. The formal organization of the Republican Senators. Their website is at http://src.senate.gov. 

The Speaker of the House is an elected majority party position. The Speaker has control over a wide variety of committee assignments, rules from the rules committee, order and frequency of types of legislation, etc. Currently held by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

May be designated by the Speaker of the House to act as the presiding officer in place of the Speaker. Typically the Speaker does not preside in debate; rather he or she designates a Speaker Pro Tempore (usually a senior member of the majority party) to preside.

Legislators receive a budget per session to hire staffers to handle writing legislation, corresponding with constituents, and administrative and political tasks. Types of staffers include: chief of staff, legislative director, legislative counsel, legislative assistant, legislative correspondent, scheduler, & caseworker.

A method of bringing bills to the floor for speedy passage. This process gives 40 minutes of debate, does not allow for amendments, and requires a 2/3rds vote for passage.

Unanimous agreement on a specific procedure or policy question. Can be used in House or Senate, but is typically used in Senate to allow Senators to waive their prerogative of unlimited debate, paving the way for quick passage.

The Whip for each party is an elected position, responsible for knowing how each member of his or her party will vote, and attempting to change votes in order to bring everyone possible within the party line. The current serving Whips for each party are: House majority, James Clyburn (D-SC); House minority, Eric Cantor (R-VA); Senate majority, Richard Durbin (D-IL); Senate minority, Jon Kyl (R-AZ).

In the House, a specific type of recorded vote, requiring at least 1/5 of those present to proceed. In the Senate, the name for a recorded roll call vote.

When a member is speaking on the floor, they may give time to another member who wishes to make a comment or ask a question.