Question | Answer |
Pocket Veto | type of veto a chief executive may use after a legislature has adjourned; when the chief executive does not sign or reject a bill within the time allowed to do so |
Committee chairman | Member who heads a heads a standing committee in a legislative body |
floor leader | Member of the House and Senate picked by their parties to carry out party decisions and steer legislative action to meet party goals |
party caucus | A closed meeting of a party's House or Sentate members, also called a party conference |
president of the Senate | The presiding officer of a senate, in congress, the vice president of the US, in a state's legislature, either the lieutenent governor or a senator |
president pro tempore | The member of the US Senate, or of the upper house of a State's legislature, chosen to preside in the absence of the president of the Senate. |
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 |
Speaker of the House | The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, chosen by and from the majority party in the House |
standing committee | Permanent committee in a legislative body to which bills in a specified subject-matter area are referred |
bill | a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration |
concurrent resolution | A statement of position on an issue used by the House and Senate acting jointly; doesn't have the force of law and does not require the president's signature. |
conference committee | Temporary joint committee created to reconcile any differences between the two houses' versions of a bill |
discharge petition | A procedure enabling members to force a bill that has been pigeonholed in committee onto the floor for consideration |
joint committee | Legislative committee composed of members of both houses |
joint resolution | A proposal for action that has the force of law when passed; usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters. |
resolution | A measure relating to the business of either house, or expressing an opinion; doesn't 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. |
select committee | Legislative committee created for a limited time and for some specific purpose; also known as a special committee |
subcommittee | Division of existing committee that is formed to address specific issues. |
cloture | Procedure that may be used to limit or end floor debate in a legislative body. |
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 |
engrossed | to print a bill in its final form |
filibuster | Various tactics (usually long speeches) aimed at defeating a bill in a legislative body by preventing a final vote; associated with the US Senate |
quorum | least number of members who must be present for a legislative body to conduct business; majority |
veto | Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature; literally (latin) "I forbid" |