Congressional glossary
Plain-language definitions for the procedural terms you'll see across bills, committee actions, and votes. If a term sends you here from a bill page, the entry below is what it means.
Bill
A proposal for a new law. Bills introduced in the House start with HR; Senate bills with S. Resolutions are different (see resolution).
Cosponsor
A member who signs on to support a bill after it's introduced. Lots of cosponsors signals momentum but doesn't change the bill's odds dramatically — what matters is whether committee leadership wants to move it.
Committee of jurisdiction
The committee assigned to review a bill. Determined by the bill's subject matter (Ways and Means handles tax bills; Armed Services handles defense). A bill may be referred to multiple committees if it spans topics.
Markup
The committee meeting where members debate, amend, and vote on a bill before sending it (or not) to the floor. Most of the real work on legislation happens here.
Discharge petition
A House procedure to force a bill out of committee against the chair's wishes. Requires 218 signatures. Rarely succeeds but is a real political tool.
Cloture
The Senate procedure to end debate. Requires 60 votes (3/5 of senators sworn). This is what's at stake when news coverage talks about "the filibuster" — without 60 votes for cloture, a determined minority can talk a bill to death.
Filibuster
Extended Senate debate used to block or delay a vote. Once a tradition of marathon speeches, today it usually means simply refusing to consent to a vote — forcing the majority to muster 60 votes for cloture to proceed.
Reconciliation
A special Senate procedure that bypasses the filibuster for budget-related bills. Limited to fiscal matters (Byrd Rule) and to once per fiscal year per topic. Major tax and spending laws often use this path.
Conference committee
An ad-hoc committee with members from both chambers that negotiates a single compromise text when the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill. Both chambers then re-vote on the conference report.
Quorum
The minimum number of members who must be present to do business: a simple majority of each chamber (218 in the House, 51 in the Senate). "Quorum calls" check whether enough members are present.
Suspension of the rules
A House procedure for fast-tracking non-controversial bills: 40 minutes of debate, no amendments, and requires a two-thirds vote. Used for naming post offices, recognizing groups, and uncontroversial fixes.
Resolution
A formal expression of Congress's opinion. Simple resolutions (H.Res., S.Res.) speak for one chamber. Concurrent resolutions (H.Con.Res., S.Con.Res.) speak for both. Neither becomes law. Joint resolutions (H.J.Res., S.J.Res.) are functionally bills — they go to the President and can become law.
Omnibus bill
A large bill that bundles many smaller measures. Often used near deadlines (e.g. year-end spending) to pass many things at once. Critics argue it short-circuits debate; defenders argue it's the only way to get anything done.
Continuing resolution (CR)
A temporary funding bill that extends current funding levels when Congress hasn't passed full appropriations on time. Without one (or full appropriations), the federal government shuts down.
Hold
A Senate practice where a senator notifies leadership they object to a bill or nomination. Holds don't formally block action but slow it down because of the threat of a filibuster. Often anonymous.
Unanimous consent
The Senate frequently dispatches business by "unanimous consent" — if no senator objects, the action passes. A single senator can withhold consent and force a longer process.
Amendment
A proposed change to a bill. Can be added in committee or on the floor. Some amendments are substantive; some are political messaging.
Motion to table
A motion to set a pending matter aside — usually a way to kill it without a direct vote on the underlying question.
Public law
A bill that has been enacted into law. Given a number like P.L. 118-42 (the 42nd public law of the 118th Congress).
Bioguide ID
The unique identifier the Library of Congress assigns to every legislator ever. Bernie Sanders is S000033. Open America uses bioguide IDs in URLs so links don't break when members leave office.