AP Gov Sec 4.4

discharge petition

A motion filed by a member of Congress to move a bill out of committee and onto the floor of the House of Representatives for debate.

House Rules Committee

A powerful committee that determines when a bill will be subject to debate and vote on the House floor, how long the debate will last, and whether amendments will be allowed on the floor.

Committee of the Whole

Consists of all members of the House and meets in the House chamber but is governed by different rules that make it easier and faster to debate a piece of legislation.

hold

A delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill.

unanimous consent agreement

An agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill to prevent it from getting to the floor for a vote.

filibuster

A tactic through which an individual senator may use the right of unlimited debate to delay a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation.

cloture

A procedure through which senators can end a filibuster and proceed to a vote, provided that sixty senators agree to it.

veto

The power of a president to reject a bill passed by Congress, sending it back with objections.

Continuing resolutions

Temporary spending bills that allow the government to keep operating, thereby preventing a government shutdown (when the government runs out of funding).

hostage-taking

A process where senators may hold up an unrelated vote or confirmation of a presidential nominee to extract concessions.

pocket veto

If the president doesn't sign the bill within ten days and Congress is not in session, the bill does not become law.

bill passage process

Before they can become law, bills must be passed by both the House and the Senate and then approved by the president.

committee actions

The committee and/or subcommittee may take various actions, such as holding hearings, marking up the bill, or voting on the bill.

reconciliation

The bill might be sent to a committee for reconciliation.

presidential influence

Presidents have the ability to shape bills through the threat of a veto.

bill failure rate

Most bills are never passed.