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 or Senate picked by their parties to carry out party decisions and steer legislature action to meet party goals
whips
assistants to to the floor leaders in the House and Senate, responsible for monitoring and marshaling 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 position in each chamber; particularly committee chairmanships, for the members with the longest record of service
standing committee
permanent committee in a legislative body to which bills in a specified subject-mattere 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' versions of a bill
bill
a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration
joint resolutions
a proposal for action that has the force of the law when passed; usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters
concurrent resolutions
a statement of position on an issue used by the House and Senate acting jointly; does not have the force of the law and does not require the President's signature
resolutions
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
subcommittees
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 the legislative body expedites its business by resolving itself into a committee of itself
quorum
least number of members who must be present for a legislative body to conduct business; majority
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 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 the legislature; literally (Latin) "I forbid
pocket veto
type of veto a chief executive may use after legislature has adjourned; when the chief executive does not sign or reject a bill within the time allowed to do so