CBO
The Congressional Budget Office, which conducts non-partisan economic analysis and research and evaluates proposed bills and amendments, assessing their potential cost.
Related definitions: Budget Resolution
Capitol Hill
Refers to the area encompassing the U.S. Capitol, and the House & Senate office buildings.
Caucus
Generally refers to the entire membership of the Democratic or Republican party in the House of Representatives. Can also be used to refer to a meeting in which these members of Congress determine policy and/or choose leaders.
Chair
Presiding Officer during a session of Congress or a committee meeting.
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHI
A government program that provides low-cost health insurance to eligible children from working families. Generally CHIP helps families who make too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to be able to afford private health insurance.
Closed Rule
Bans amendments to a bill on the House floor, with the exception of Committee amendments.
Related definitions: Rule
Cloture
Method of limiting debate or ending a filibuster in the Senate. At least 60 Senators must vote in favor before cluture can be invoked.
Related definitions: Filibuster
Colloquy
A pre-scripted floor dialogue between two Members of Congress that seeks to clarify the intent behind certain provisions for purposes of legislative history.
Commit
To refer a bill or matter to a committee.
Related definitions: Motion to Recommit
Committee
A group of members assigned to give special consideration to certain bills. Each Member of Congress is usually assigned to two committees, and each committee is responsible for different agencies and programs.
Committee Report
Prepared by a House or Senate Committee to explain the content of a bill being reported. Committee reports are optional in the Senate, but mandatory in the House.
Related definitions: Committee
Committee of the Whole
A mechanism to expedite business in the House whereby the House itself becomes a committee, allowing for less rigid rules and a quorum of 100 instead of 218.
Related definitions: Committee
Concurrent Resolution
Legislative action used to express the position of the House or Senate. Does not have the force of law.
Conference Committee
Meeting between Representatives and Senators to resolve differences when two versions of a similar bill have been passed by the House and Senate.
Related definitions: Committee
Conference Report
Refers to the final version of a bill proposed by House and Senate conferees.
Related definitions: Conference Committee
Congressional Record
A daily account of House and Senate floor debate, votes and members' remarks.
Continuing Resolution
A resolution encated to allow government agencies to continue operating even though funds have not been provided to them for the current fiscal year.
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