Across
- 2. Also referred to as “amendments between the houses” or, colloquially, “ping-pong.” A method for reconciling differences between the two chambers’ versions of a measure by sending the measure back and forth between them until both have agreed to identical language. (2 words, no spaces)
- 4. Document accompanying a measure reported from a committee. It contains an explanation of the provisions of the measure, arguments for its approval, votes held in markup, individual committee members’ opinions, cost estimates, and other information. (2 words, no spaces)
- 5. Upon introduction of a bill or resolution in the House or Senate, legislative analysts in the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress write a short summary that objectively describes the measure’s significant provisions. Introduced version summaries are subject to length limitations as a matter of policy. (2 words, no spaces)
- 7. A panel (or subpanel) with members from the House or Senate (or both) tasked with conducting hearings, examining and developing legislation, conducting oversight, and/or helping manage chamber business and activities. (3 words, no spaces)
- 10. Lists of measures, motions, and matters that are eligible for consideration on the chamber floor; also, the official document that contains these lists and other information about the status of legislation and other matters.
- 11. Formally end a meeting of a chamber or committee.
- 12. Identical or substantially similar measures introduced in the other chamber (2 words, no spaces)
- 13. The document presenting an agreement reached by a joint temporary committee (a conference committee) appointed to negotiate a compromise between the House and Senate.
- 14. Representatives or Senators who formally sign on to support a measure. Only the first-named Member is the sponsor, all others are cosponsors, even those whose names appeared on the measure at the time it was submitted.
- 15. The method by which a supermajority (typically, three-fifths) of the Senate may agree to limit further debate and consideration of a question (e.g., a bill, amendment, or other matter). Details of the procedural process are provided for in Rule XXII of the Senate standing rules.
- 16. The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S.
- 17. Members of the House and Senate appointed to a conference committee. Also sometimes called “managers.”
- 18. A proposed change to a pending text (e.g., a bill, resolution, another amendment, or a treaty [or an associated resolution of ratification]).
Down
- 1. Literally, “two chambers;” in a legislative body, having two houses (as in the House of Representatives and the Senate comprising the U.S. Congress).
- 3. The member of the majority party on a committee who has formal responsibility over the panel’s agenda and resources, presides at its meetings, and can, in some circumstances, act on the committee’s behalf. (2 words, no spaces)
- 6. Written statements, messages or petitions sent to the Congress by the President of the United States, executive branch officials, or state or local governments.
- 8. An appropriations act that provides funds for federal agencies and programs to continue operations when the regular appropriations acts have not been enacted on time. (2 words, no spaces)
- 9. Budget Office a legislative branch agency that produces independent analyses of budgetary and economic issues to support the Congressional budget process. (3 words, no spaces)
- 10. A parliamentary device designed to allow greater participation in floor consideration of measures. It can be understood as the House assembled in a different form; it is a committee of the House composed of every Representative that meets in the House chamber. The House considers many major measures in the Committee of the Whole. (4 words, no spaces)
- 15. Temporary joint committee created to resolve differences between House-passed and Senate-passed versions of a measure. (2 words, no spaces)