Chief administrative officer of the House of Representatives, responsible principally for administrative support of the legislative process in the House. Duties correspond to those of the Secretary of [..]

This Glossary will remain as is and is no longer updated - please use the version on Hobnob Blog, located at CongressionalGlossary.com.

The Constitution requires that a senator be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States for at least nine years, and an inhabitant of the state from which he or she is elected. A person elec [..]

This Glossary will remain as is and is no longer updated - please use the version on Hobnob Blog, located at CongressionalGlossary.com.

Term for period of time at the beginning of proceedings in the Committee of the Whole to debate a measure. The time is generally divided equally between majority and minority floor managers.

Pertaining to the subject matter of the measure at hand. All House amendments must be germane to the bill being considered. The Senate requires that amendments be germane when they are proposed to gen [..]

The process established by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Act (commonly known as the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings or GRH), as amended in 1987 and 1990. The process includes deficit targets and a p [..]

A provision exempting persons or other entities already engaged in an activity from new rules or legislation affecting that activity. Grandfather clauses sometimes are added to legislation to avoid an [..]

Payments by the federal government to states, local governments or individuals in support of specified programs, services, or activities.

Committee sessions for taking testimony from witnesses. At hearings on legislation, witnesses usually include specialists, government officials and spokesmen for persons or entities affected by the bi [..]