Congressional Glossary
Bill - A proposed law introduced in either
the House of Representatives or the Senate. A bill originating
in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters "H.R." followed
by a number and bills introduced in the Senate as “S.” followed
by a number. The sequential numbering of bills for each session
of Congress began in the House with the 15th Congress (1817)
and in the Senate with the 30th Congress (1847).
Concurrent Resolution – Legislation
that relates to the operations of Congress, including both
chambers, or express the collective opinion of both chambers
on public policy issues. A concurrent resolution originating
in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H.
Con. Res.” followed by a number and concurrent resolutions
introduced in the Senate as “S. Con. Res.” followed
by a number. For example: H. Con. Res. 64.
Federal Depository Library – Congressional
information and other Federal publications are available
for free public use in Federal
depository libraries throughout the United States.
Joint Resolution – Legislation considered
to have the same effect as a bill. Unlike simple and concurrent
resolutions, a joint resolution requires the approval of
the President. Also, a joint resolution may be used to propose
amendments to the Constitution. A joint resolution originating
in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H.J.
Res.” followed by a number and joint resolutions introduced
in the Senate as “S.J. Res.” followed by a number.
For example: S.J. Res. 2.
Private Law – A private bill passed
by both the House of Representatives and the Senate in identical
form that has been enacted into law. Private laws only affect
a private individual or individuals. A Private law is designated
by the abbreviation “Pvt. L.” followed by the
Congress number (e.g. 104), and the number of the law.
For
example:
Pvt. L. 104-1.
Public Law – A bill or joint resolution
passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate
in identical form that has been enacted into law. Public
laws affect the entire nation. A Public law is designated
by the abbreviation “Pub. L.” followed by the
Congress number (e.g. 108), and the number of the law. For
example: Pub. L. 108-211.
Resolution – Legislation introduced
in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, but
unlike bills they may be limited in effect to the Congress
or one of its chambers. The three types of resolutions are
joint resolutions, simple resolutions and concurrent resolutions.
Roll Call Vote – There are several
different ways of voting in Congress, one of which is the
roll call vote, where the vote of each member is recorded.
Not all bills, in fact, the minority of bills, receive a
roll call vote.
Serial Set - The Serial Set contains the
House and Senate Documents and the House and Senate Reports.
The reports are usually from congressional committees dealing
with proposed legislation and issues under investigation.
The Serial Set began publication with the 15th Congress,
1st Session (1817).
Simple Resolution – Legislation
that relates to the operations of a single chamber or expresses
the collective opinion of that chamber on public policy issues.
A simple resolution originating in the House of Representatives
is designated by the letters “H. Res.” followed
by a number and simple resolutions introduced in the Senate
as “S. Res.” followed by a number. For Example:
H. Res. 10.
Statutes at Large - The official source
for the laws and resolutions passed by Congress. Every law,
public and private, ever enacted by the Congress is published
in the Statutes at Large in order of the date of its passage.
Until 1948, all treaties and international agreements approved
by the Senate were also published in the set.
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