US Government: Congressional Procedures

The practice of exchanging votes on different bills to ensure passage.

A young assistant who delivers messages and runs errands in the House or Senate.

A procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster, requiring a 3/5 vote.

Both chambers of Congress must agree on the exact same version of a bill before it can be sent to the president.

The fundamental law of the U.S., which lawmakers promise to uphold.

Seniority is a major determining factor in choosing committee chairs in Congress, meaning the member with the longest continuous service on a committee usually becomes chair.

A tactic used by a senator to delay or prevent a vote on a bill by speaking continuously.

The process where bills are introduced and debated in Congress.

The power to introduce bills in Congress is held by individual members, not just by the leadership.

The power to set the agenda and bring bills to the floor for debate.