Glossary
- Bill
- A legislative proposal.
- Capitol
- The building where the United States Congress meets.
- Checks and Balances
- The system created by the Founding Fathers of the United States to ensure that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.
- Committee
- A group of Representatives or Senators who study national problems and suggest solutions.
- Constitution
- The document that outlines the United States government and its functions.
- Delegate
- A nonvoting representative in the U.S. House from American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, the Virgin Islands, or the District of Columbia.
- Districts
- Each state is divided into districts based on the state's population. Each district elects one Representative to serve in the House of Representatives.
- Founding Father
- One of the early political leaders of the United States.
- Government
- The leadership of a community, state, or nation.
- Hopper
- The box where bills that will be introduced in the House are placed.
- House Chamber
- The room where the House of Representatives meets.
- House Officers
- The Clerk, the Sergeant at Arms, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Chaplain.
- House Rules
- The rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. These rules are updated by the Members on the first day of each new Congress.
- Laws
- A rule of conduct established and enforced by the authority, legislation, or custom of a given community, state, or nation.
- Library of Congress
- Known as "America's Library," the Library of Congress is the largest library in the world. It is located across the street from the Capitol.
- Member Cloakrooms
- Rooms attached to the House chamber—one for Democrats and one for Republicans—where Members can talk privately, make phone calls, and get snacks.
- Members-elect
- People elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives who have not yet taken the Oath of Office.
- Oath of Office
- The pledge made by Members to serve their country.
- Public Policy
- The basic course of action chosen to guide people in creating laws.
- Rebut
- To disagree by formal argument.
- Resident Commissioner
- The representative from Puerto Rico in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Resident Commissioner does not vote on bills, but does serve on committees.
- Subcommittee
- A smaller committee that focuses on very specific topics.
- Veto
- A step the President can take to prevent a bill from becoming a law.