Appropriations bill: A bill that allocates funding for specific federal programs. Unlike authorizing legislation, which remains in effect for three or more years, an appropriations bill must be enacted into law every year.
Each year, in fact, Congress must pass a series of 13 appropriations bills to keep federal departments and agencies operating. Entitlement legislation: A measure that guarantees a certain level of benefits to persons who meet eligibility requirements set by law, such as Medicare, Medicaid and college student loan programs.
Entitlement programs typically do not need to be reauthorized, nor do they require annual appropriations. Laying the Groundwork: The Role of Individual Members of Congress Generally speaking, the earlier you get involved, the better your chances of having an impact on decision making.
Floor Action Once a committee has approved legislation, it becomes eligible for debate on the House and Senate floors, where it may be passed, defeated or amended. Conference Action It is usually the case that the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill. The Importance of Staff Contacts While senators and representatives are the ultimate decision makers, it is important to recognize that their staff members can have significant influence over the course and content of legislation.
Glossary of Legislative Terms The following is a listing of terms commonly used in connection with the legislative process: Act - The term for legislation that has been passed by Congress and signed into law by the President. Amendment - The proposal of a member of Congress to alter the wording of a bill being considered by a subcommittee, committee, or on the House or Senate floor.
Amendments can also be offered to add or delete entire sections of a bill. Appropriation - Legislation that directs the spending of funds from the federal treasury for a specific purpose, e.
By custom, an appropriations bill originates in the House, where it is assigned an H. Typically, each appropriations bill includes funding for several hundred federal programs. Authorization - A law creating a new federal program or extending the life of an existing program. An authorization establishes the framework for operating a federal program, and usually sets the maximum amount of funds that can be given to a program for a period of 3 to 5 years.
Bill - A proposed law introduced by a member s of Congress. Budget - The document the President sends to Congress each year outlining federal expenditures and revenues for the upcoming fiscal year. The President's budget is usually submitted to Congress in late January or early February. Budget Resolution - Legislation passed by Congress each year, which sets overall limits on spending and revenues.
Congressional committees use the budget resolution as a guide for allocating funds to specific federal programs. The budget resolution does not require the President's approval. Conference - A meeting between House and Senate members to reconcile differences between bills passed by their respective chambers of Congress. Once a compromise has been ironed out, a conference report is issued and voted on by the full House and Senate. The measure is then sent to the President for approval.
Entitlement - A federal program that guarantees a certain level of benefits to persons who meet requirements set by law, such as Social Security and unemployment benefits.
Congress and the President generally have very little discretion over spending by these programs. Fiscal Year — For the federal government, the fiscal year runs from October 1 through September Hearings - Committee meetings where testimony is taken from witnesses representing government agencies, private sector organizations and the general public. Most congressional hearings are accessible to the public. Hearings may be held in Washington, DC, or in local communities.
Mark-Up - A subcommittee or committee meeting for the purpose of writing legislation. Once completed, the measure is ready for debate on the floor of the House or Senate. Public Law - A bill after it has been passed by the House and Senate and subsequently approved by the President. Reconciliation bill - Legislation that contains changes usually spending cuts to existing laws so as to conform — or reconcile — with policies adopted in the budget resolution.
Rescission - The act of canceling appropriations already enacted into law. Standing Committee - A committee that is permanently established by House and Senate rules. The executive branch, led by the President and the Vice President, enforces our laws. The judicial branch, led by the Supreme Court, interprets our laws. The legislative branch, which makes our laws, is the Congress.
Congress has two parts: the U. Senate and the U. House of Representatives. Each state has two U. All products are Made-in-the-USA, and many are created exclusively for our store.
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. Congress is divided into two institutions: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The two houses of Congress have equal but unique roles in the federal government.
While they share legislative responsibilities, each house also has special constitutional duties and powers.
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