Congress Vocabulary Congress

What language will we use to discuss Congress? House & Senate What language will we use to discuss Congress?

Congress Vocabulary Congress

Congress Term Term Two year period between elections during which the 535 members of Congress are the same. The are named the Xth Congress We are in the middle of the 115th Congress. The 116th Congress will begin in January 2019 after the 2018 elections

When Congress is meeting and actually conducting business Session Session When Congress is meeting and actually conducting business The Constitution bans them from meetingg in any place other than the US Capital building Each house can adjourn without the other, but no house can adjourn for more than 3 days without the consent of the other House

Congress Session Joint Session When the members of both the House and Senate meet together This is for special occasions – like the State of the Union Address

For voting purposes, a majority of a chamber’s members must be present Congress Quorom Quorum For voting purposes, a majority of a chamber’s members must be present Quorum Call A call for members to actually report to the House or Senate chamber in order to get a quorum

Congress Members Rank and File Regular voting member of a chamber of Congress They aren’t’ leadership of the party or committee, they just are a voter They are most likely to be newer and unproven as party members

Congress Bills Bill Resolution A proposed law A n expression of opinion in either the House of the Senate. It’s an important statement, but doesn't carry force of law The House of Representatives issued a resolution apologizing for slavery

Congress Bills Joint Resolution A resolution passed by both houses & must be passed by the president, just like a bill To set up a temporary commission “The 9/11 Commission” To declare war To propose an amendment to the Constitution

If a bill is stuck in a committee or being held in the committee… Congress Discharge Petition Discharge petition If a bill is stuck in a committee or being held in the committee… Any house member can force a bill on to the floor for voting if it has been in the committee for 30 days. This is a check on the committee chairman by a rank and file member of the chamber

An unrelated provision added to a bill in order to gain more support Congress Changing a bill Rider An unrelated provision added to a bill in order to gain more support Pork Barrel A provision that would create some benefit for a Congressman’s district They may get these added as riders to other bills in exchange for their vote.

Congress “Rules” Open Rule Closed Rule Restrictive Rule Allows bills to be amended on the House floor, by any member Closed Rule Prevents bills from being amended before voting on the House floor Restrictive Rule Only allows certain kinds of amendments to be added to the bills.

A bill written in its final form to be voted on. Congress Changing a bill Engrossed A bill written in its final form to be voted on.

Congress Voting Voice Vote Division Vote Members shout yea or nay to quickly vote anonymously on bills Division Vote Members stand and are counted

Members insert their card & press Congress Voting Roll Call Vote Members say yea or nay after their name is called, so we can track their votes Electoronic Vote Members insert their card & press a button at their desk.

Continuing Resolution Congress Spending Bills Authorization Bill A bill that permits an agency to begin to perform its duty – money is authorized to be spend on the project Appropriations Bill Follows an authorization bill, actually distributes the funds to an agency or project Continuing Resolution An agency is permitted to continue as if they were to have the money, even if they don’t

This is most often done with budget type bills Congress Voting Omnibus bill A bunch of small bills are voted on together as if they are one large bill. This is most often done with budget type bills Government Shutdown Congress refuses to fund the government, forcing parts of the Executive Branch to cease functioning

Bigly Ideas Beliefs & Behaviors

Congress Wrap Up Random terms Focus on these things: