congress terms

Majority leader

the floor leader of the party that holds the majority of seats in each house of congress

Minority leader

the floor leader of the party that holds the minority of seats in each house of congress

speaker of the house

the presiding officer of the House of Rep, chosen by and from the majority party in the house

president pro tempore

the member of the United States Senate or of the upper house of a states legislature chosen to preside in the absence of the president of the senate

whip

assistants to the floor leaders in the house and Senate responsible for monitoring and marshaling votes

filibuster

a stalling tactic in which senators monopolize the senate floor with talk and other delays so a bill cannot be brought to a vote

cloture

a procedure to limit or end floor debate especially during a filibuster

discharge petition 

enables members to force a bill that has remained in committee 30 days onto the floor consideration

rider

unpopular provision added to an important bill certain to pass so it will ride through the legislature process

committee hearing

meetings held by congressional committees to gather information hear testimonies and evaluate legislation related to specific issues and policies

floor debate

they provide strong evidence of legislative intent as legislators often discuss why the bill should or should not become a law

Conference committee

House and Senate conferces formed for the purpose of reconciling differences in legislation that has passed bith chambers