Across
- 2. A vote that records the individual position of each Member who voted. Such votes occurring on the House floor (by the “yeas and nays” or by “recorded vote”) are taken by electronic device. The Senate has no electronic voting system; in such votes, Senators answer “yea” or “nay” as the clerk calls each name aloud. (3 words, no spaces)
- 5. A legislative vehicle: a bill, joint resolution, concurrent resolution, or simple resolution.
- 8. A non-debatable motion in the House and Senate (and in their committees) by which a simple majority may agree to negatively and permanently dispose of a question (e.g., an amendment). (3 words, no spaces)
- 10. A member’s statement to the presiding officer that the chamber (or committee) is taking action contrary to the rules or precedents, and a demand that they be enforced. (3 words, no spaces)
- 11. Assignment of a measure to a committee or committees (or subcommittees) for potential consideration.
- 12. A Representative or Senator who introduces or submits a bill or other measure.
- 14. The most senior (though not necessarily the longest-serving) member of the minority party on a committee (or subcommittee). The ranking member typically oversees minority committee staff and may coordinate involvement of the minority party committee members in committee activities. (2 words, no spaces)
- 16. A formal meeting of a congressional committee (or subcommittee) to gather information from witnesses for use in its activities (that is, the development of legislation, oversight of executive agencies, investigations into matters of public policy, or Senate consideration of presidential nominations).
- 18. Written statement or petition presented to Congress by the legislature of a state or territory that may affect the proceedings of a committee or Congress in general. Memorials may be referred by a Member of the House of Representatives. The Senate does not differentiate between memorials and petitions.
- 19. In contrast to public bills (which apply to public matters and deal with individuals only by classes), a private bill proposes to provide benefits that are restricted to one or more specified individuals (including corporations or institutions), typically when no other legal remedy is available. (2 words, no spaces)
- 20. Action to formally ascertain the presence of the minimum number of members required to transact business. In the Senate, quorum calls are also commonly used as a sort of “time out” in floor proceedings without recessing the chamber. (2 words, no spaces)
Down
- 1. Nominations and treaties submitted by the president to the Senate for its “Advice and Consent;” the Senate treats such business separately from its legislative business. (2 words, no spaces)
- 3. Made into law.
- 4. A label used by committees to identify bills that were not formally referred to the committee but which the committee expresses jurisdictional or provisional interest in. (2 words, no spaces)
- 6. A temporary presidential appointment, during a recess of the Senate, of an individual to a federal government position, where such appointment usually requires the advice and consent of the Senate. (2 words, no spaces)
- 7. A committee in the House that, among other things, is responsible for reporting out “special rules”—simple resolutions that propose to the House tailored terms for debate and amendment of a measure on the House floor. (3 words, no spaces)
- 9. A wooden box on the House floor into which measures are dropped for formal introduction.
- 13. A may be a companion measure, an identical bill, a procedurally-related measure, or one with text similarities. (2 words, no spaces)
- 15. The president’s formal submission of an individual’s name, and the federal government position to which he or she is proposed to be appointed, for Senate consideration and potential confirmation.
- 17. Meeting by a committee or subcommittee during which committee members offer, debate, and vote on amendments to a measure.