Glossary
Every legislative term of art used on this site, explained in one sentence.
45 of 45 terms
- Act
A bill that has passed both chambers and been signed, or enacted over a veto.
Example: The measure became an act when the President signed it on July 2, 2026.
- Amendment
A proposed change to the text of a bill or another amendment.
Example: An amendment struck the pilot program and replaced it with a study.
- Appropriations
A law that actually provides money for an agency to spend.
Example: Authorizing a program does not fund it. An appropriations bill does.
- Bill
The most common form of legislation. If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.
Example: H.R. 4021 is a House bill.
- Calendar
The list of measures eligible for floor consideration in a chamber.
Example: Being placed on the calendar does not guarantee a vote.
- CBO estimate
The Congressional Budget Office's nonpartisan projection of what a measure would cost or save.
Example: The estimate projected a net cost of 2.4 billion dollars over ten years.
- Chamber
One of the two halves of Congress: the House of Representatives or the Senate.
Example: A bill has to pass both chambers in identical form.
- Cloture
The Senate procedure that ends debate. It usually takes 60 votes.
Example: Cloture was invoked, so the Senate could move to a final vote.
- Committee
A standing group of members that studies measures in a subject area before the full chamber sees them.
Example: The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Committee report
The written explanation a committee publishes when it sends a measure to the floor.
Example: The report explained why the committee raised the funding cap.
- Companion bill
A measure introduced in the other chamber with substantially the same text.
Example: S. 2210 is the companion bill to H.R. 4021.
- Concurrent resolution
A measure passed by both chambers that does not go to the President and does not become law.
Example: The budget resolution is a concurrent resolution.
- Conference
A temporary joint committee that resolves differences between House and Senate versions.
Example: The two versions went to conference in June.
- Congressional Record
The daily published account of floor proceedings and remarks in both chambers.
Example: The sponsor's floor statement appears at 172 Cong. Rec. H4120.
- Cosponsor
A member who formally adds their name in support of a measure they did not introduce.
Example: The bill gained 48 cosponsors in its first month.
- CRS summary
A neutral summary of a measure written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.
Example: The CRS summary is updated each time the text changes.
- Discharge petition
A House procedure that forces a bill out of committee if 218 members sign it.
Example: The petition reached 203 signatures and stalled.
- Enrolled measure
The final, identical text approved by both chambers and prepared for the President.
Example: The enrolled bill was presented on July 30, 2026.
- Engrossed measure
The official text of a measure as passed by one chamber.
Example: The engrossed House bill went to the Senate.
- Filibuster
Extended Senate debate used to delay or block a vote.
Example: The filibuster ended when the Senate invoked cloture.
- Germane
Relevant to the subject of the measure being amended.
Example: The amendment was ruled not germane and fell.
- Hold
An informal notice from a senator that they object to bringing a measure up.
Example: A hold kept the nomination off the floor for six weeks.
- Hopper
The box on the House floor where members drop bills to introduce them.
Example: The bill was placed in the hopper on March 3.
- Joint resolution
Like a bill, it becomes law when signed. It is also the vehicle for constitutional amendments.
Example: The continuing resolution was a joint resolution.
- Markup
The committee meeting where members debate and vote on changes to a measure's text.
Example: The markup ran nine hours and produced 14 amendments.
- Motion to recommit
A final House motion to send a bill back to committee before the passage vote.
Example: The motion to recommit failed 205 to 220.
- Nomination
A presidential appointment that the Senate must confirm.
Example: The nomination was reported favorably by the committee.
- Veto override
A two thirds vote in both chambers that makes a vetoed measure law anyway.
Example: The House voted to override, but the Senate fell four votes short.
- Pocket veto
When the President does not sign a measure and Congress has adjourned, so it does not become law.
Example: The measure died by pocket veto at the end of the session.
- Policy area
The single subject term the Library of Congress assigns to every measure.
Example: This measure's policy area is Health.
- Private law
A law that applies to a named individual or entity rather than the public at large.
Example: The private law granted permanent residence to one family.
- Public law
A law that applies generally. It gets a number like Public Law 119 to 42.
Example: It became Public Law 119 to 42 on July 2, 2026.
- Quorum
The minimum number of members who must be present for the chamber to act.
Example: A quorum call delayed the vote by 20 minutes.
- Recess
A break in proceedings. Congress is not conducting floor business.
Example: The chamber is in recess until September 8.
- Referral
Sending a newly introduced measure to the committees with jurisdiction over it.
Example: The bill received a joint referral to two committees.
- Reported
A committee has finished with a measure and sent it to the full chamber.
Example: The committee reported the bill favorably, 28 to 19.
- Roll call vote
A recorded vote where each member's position is published.
Example: Roll call 412 passed the bill 231 to 197.
- Rule
A House resolution setting the terms of debate for a specific bill.
Example: The rule allowed only six amendments.
- Sponsor
The member who introduces a measure.
Example: The sponsor is the first name on the bill.
- Simple resolution
A measure affecting only one chamber. It never becomes law.
Example: A simple resolution set up a select committee.
- Statutes at Large
The permanent, chronological collection of every law Congress enacts.
Example: The law is cited as 140 Stat. 1892.
- Suspension of the rules
A fast House procedure for noncontroversial bills. It needs a two thirds vote.
Example: The bill passed under suspension, 388 to 22.
- Unanimous consent
Acting without a vote because no member objects.
Example: The Senate passed the resolution by unanimous consent.
- Veto
The President's formal refusal to sign a measure into law.
Example: The veto message was returned to the House on July 18.