Government Terms

4. A device used only in the Senate to delay or prevent a vote by time-consuming talk. Requires invoking cloture to halt it.
6. – Financial operations of the government are carried out in a 12-month fiscal year, beginning on October 1 and ending on September 30 of the following year.
8. If the President disapproves a bill and sends it back to Congress, Congress may override the veto by a two-thirds vote in each House. If the two-thirds majority is reached in each House, the bill then becomes law over the President’s objection.
11. The leading spokesperson and legislative strategist for the party in control of either the House or Senate.
12. The assistant majority leader in the House or Senate. Responsibilities include reminding majority members of important upcoming votes and keeping “count” of how members plan to vote.
14. the process of choosing government officials by vote of the citizens.
15. The presiding officer.
17. Pertaining to the purpose of the bill in question.
18. Bill Final copy of a bill that has passed the House and Senate in identical form.
19. Legislation that has passed both Houses and was signed by the President, thus becoming a law.

1. Referral When a bill is introduced, the presiding officer of the body in which it is introduced is empowered to assign the legislation to a committee of jurisdiction for consideration. The guidelines for bill referrals are spelled out in Senate and House rules.
2. House and Senate Committee sessions in which testimony regarding legislation is received from interested parties.
3. A consolidation of the laws of the United States, arranged by subject under 50 titles.
5. – The elected presiding officer of the House of Representatives. Elected by the full House and a member of the majority party.
7. Veto If there are fewer than 10 working days left in the Congressional session when the President receives a bill and the President does not sign the bill, the bill dies and does not become law.
9. Both a verb and a noun, When a committee returns a bill to the floor of either the Senate or House, it “reports” the bill. A “report” is a document setting forth the commi explanation of its action.
10. A Senator or Representative.
13. Different from adjournment, does not interfere with unfinished business. Halts the proceedings temporarily.
16. Change or modify a bill or motion by striking out, adding or substituting language.