Legislative Process Vocabulary

Divided Government

Divided Government

Government branches/powers split between parties

Filibuster

Formal way of halting Senate action on a bill by taking advantage of unlimited debate rules (long speeches)

Hold

A senator's request to be informed before a particular bill/nomination is brought to the floor.

Cloture

Ending debate or filibuster through the vote of 60 senators

Unanimous Consent

In the Senate, all senators must agree to the rules of debate for a bill

Germaneness Requirement

Limited debate on a proposal/bill in the senate

Discharge Petition

A bill is brought to a committee floor for consideration without a report for the committee → “discharging” the committee

Standing Committee

Committees that stay from Congress to Congress and manage legislative institutions

Rules Committee

Creates rules that bills will be presented/debated under in the House

Closed Rule

Eliminates the opportunity to consider amendments other than those proposed by the committee.

Open Rule

Allows for amendments to be offered to the bill.

Committee of the Whole

Allows House of Representatives to deliberate with a lower quorum and expedite consideration.

Appropriations Committee

Committee responsible for appropriating funds.

Omnibus Bills

Combines multiple topics or laws into one big proposal to be voted on all at once.

Ways and Means

Chief tax writing committee, has control over social welfare programs

Conference Committee

Made up of members from both the House and Senate to work out differences in a bill.

Seniority Rule

The longer someone has been in office, the more power and leadership positions they gain

Mark-up

Session in which committee members offer changes to a bill before it goes to the floor.

Partisanship

Candidates who belong to a certain party will have strong support for their party's ideas and decisions.

Polarization

When groups become so divided that they only stick to their side and won't compromise.

Gridlock

When nothing moves or gets passed due to filibustering or vetoes.

Pocket Veto

When the President does not decide on a bill but does not veto it (while Congress isn’t in session), leaving it 'stuck'.

Pork Barrel Legislation

Legislation where representatives add favorable additions to bills (eg. money and jobs) for their districts.

Riders/Earmarks

Amendments added to a bill that include extra spending for constituents.

Logrolling

Trading favors among legislators to help each other achieve their goals.

Trustee

Making decisions based on what is best for the group, not just what they want.

Delegate

Acting based on the wishes of the constituents who elected them.

Politico

A mix of both trustee and delegate roles, switching based on the situation.

Pigeon-holed

Ignoring or delaying something on purpose, as if it doesn't exist.