Magruder's Chapter 12 Vocabulary: Congress in Action

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, chosen by and from the majority party in the House.

President of the Senate

The presiding officer of a senate; in Congress, the Vice President of the United States; in a State's legislature, either the lieutenant governor or a senator.

President pro tempore

The member of the United States Senate, or of the upper house of a State's legislature, chosen to preside in the absence of the president of the Senate.

Party caucus

A closed meeting of a party's House or Senate members; also called a party conference.

Floor leaders

Members of the House and Senate picked by their parties to carry out party decisions and steer legislative action to meet party goals.

Whips

Assistants to the floor leaders in the House and Senate, responsible for monitoring and marshalling votes.

Committee Chairman

Member who heads a standing committee in a legislative body.

Seniority rule

Unwritten rule in both houses of Congress reserving the top posts in each chamber, particularly committee chairmanships, for members with the longest records of service.

Standing committee

Permanent committee in a legislative body to which the bills in a specified subject-matter area are referred.

Select committee

Legislative committee created for a limited time and for some specific purpose; also known as a special committee.

Joint committee

Legislative committee composed of members of both houses.

Conference committee

Temporary joint committee created to reconcile any differences between the two houses' version of a bill.

Bill

A proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration.

Joint resolution

A proposal for action that has the force of law when passed; usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters.

Concurrent resolution

A statement of position on an issue used by the House and Senate acting jointly; does not have the force of law and does not require the President's signature.

Resolution

A measure relating to the business of either house, or expressing an opinion; does not have the force of law and does not require the President's signature.

Rider

Unpopular provision added to an important bill certain to pass so that it will "ride" through the legislative process.

Discharge petition

A procedure enabling members to force a bill that has been pigeonholed in committee onto the floor for consideration.

Subcommittee

Division of existing committee that is formed to address specific issues.

Committee of the Whole

A committee that consists of an entire legislative body; used for a procedure in which a legislative body expedites its business by resolving itself into a committee of itself.

Quorum

Least number of members that must be present for a legislative body to conduct business; majority.

Filibuster

Various tactics (usually long speeches) aimed at defeating a bill in a legislative body by preventing a final vote; associated with the U.S. Senate.

Cloture

Procedure that may be used to limit or end floor debate in a legislative body.

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature.

Pocket veto

A type of veto a chief executive may use after a legislature has been adjourned; when the chief executive does not sign or reject a bill within the time allowed to do so.

Paul Ryan

current Speaker of the House

Mitch McConnell

current Senate Majority Leader

Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown

current Senators from Ohio

Bob Latta

current Representative of Ohio's 5th District