MEMORANDUM April 3, Subject:
|
|
- Howard Ramsey
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 MEMORANDUM April 3, 2018 Subject: From: Expedited Procedure for Considering Presidential Rescission Messages Under Section 1017 of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 James V. Saturno, Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process, Elizabeth Rybicki, Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process, This memorandum was prepared to enable distribution to more than one congressional office. This memorandum has been prepared in response multiple requests for information concerning the expedited procedure for considering presidential rescission messages under Section 1017 of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA). 1 In the 1970s, Congress and the President disagreed over whether the President could impound funds; that is, they disagreed over whether, and in what circumstances, the President could order executive branch agencies to reduce or withhold funds that had been provided in law. Decisions by federal courts, including a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court in Train v. City of New York, 2 and the enactment of the ICA clarified that the President has only limited authority in this area. Specifically, under the ICA, the President can withhold funds for a limited time if he complies with specified reporting requirements to Congress, but he cannot permanently prevent the obligation or expenditure of funds provided in law unless Congress agrees. 3 The ICA created procedures for Congress to expeditiously consider presidential proposals to rescind budget authority under certain circumstances. 4 Under these procedures, the first step is that the President may transmit a special message to Congress proposing specific rescissions. The message must specify the amount of budget authority to be rescinded, as well as all facts, circumstances, and considerations relating to or bearing upon the proposed rescission. 5 Funds identified in such a special message may be 1 Title X of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (P.L ), 2 U.S.C U.S. 35 (1975). In this case, the Court held that there was nothing in the law that would permit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to allot to the states less than the amount appropriated. 3 The ICA distinguished between two types of impoundments: rescissions, which permanently cancel budget authority, and deferrals, which temporarily delay budget authority. This memorandum addresses only rescission requests and the expedited procedures for their consideration. 4 Budget authority is the amount of money that an agency or department has the legal authority to obligate. For example, an appropriation of a specific amount can provide that legal authority, as can a provision allowing an agency or department to enter into contracts or to borrow money. 5 Section 1012 specifies what the special message must contain; Section 1014 imposes certain requirements on the transmission and publication of special messages. For more on rescission requests pursuant to the ICA, see Archived CRS Report RL33869, (continued...)
2 Congressional Research Service 2 reserved, or withheld, from obligation temporarily. The funds may only be withheld from obligation for a maximum of 45 days of continuous session 6 after Congress receives the special message, however. Funds must be released at that time if Congress has not acted on the request or has not completed action on a bill that rescinds all or part of the amount proposed. Although the ICA does not require Congress to act on the President s proposal for rescissions, it may choose to do so. If legislation is introduced, however, consisting only of some or all of the rescissions proposed by the President in one or more special messages, then that legislation can be considered under expedited procedures in the House and the Senate during the 45 days specified in Section 1017 of the Act. These procedures, described in detail below, effectively place a time limit on committee consideration and also limit debate in both chambers. Not all proposals to cancel spending are rescission requests. The President can and does propose cancellations of budget authority in a variety of ways. 7 Such a proposal becomes a rescission request that can delay the use of funds for 45 days or qualify for these expedited procedures, however, only if it is proposed in the form of a special message meeting the requirements of the ICA. Furthermore, Congress can and does consider legislation rescinding funds using the regular legislative process. Rescissions are regularly included in appropriations bills, for example. The expedited procedures described below are optional, and are triggered only when the President submits a special rescission message pursuant to the ICA and Congress responds by considering an introduced bill consisting of some or all of the proposed rescissions. Introduction and Referral of a Rescission Bill After the President transmits a special message proposing rescissions, any Member of Congress may introduce a rescission bill, defined in the ICA as legislation consisting only of language to rescind, in whole or in part, budget authority proposed to be rescinded in such a message. 8 Historically, a party leader (...continued) Rescission Actions Since 1974: Review and Assessment of the Record, by Virginia A. McMurtry. 6 Continuous session is defined in Section 1011(5), which provides that the days on which either House is not in session because of an adjournment of more than 3 days to a day certain shall be excluded in the computation of the 45-day period (as well as from the 25-day period for committee consideration provided under Section 1017(b)(1)). Days after a sine die adjournment between sessions of a Congress are also not included in the computation. The section further provides that if the last session of a Congress adjourns sine die during the 45 calendar days after receipt of the special message, or if the President transmits a special message after the last session of a Congress has adjourned sine die, the message shall be deemed to have been retransmitted on the first day of the succeeding Congress, and the 45-day period commences on the day after. This effectively allows some funds to be withheld from obligation for a period of longer than 45 calendar days. For more information on measuring periods of action prescribed in expedited procedure statutes, see CRS Report R42977, Sessions, Adjournments, and Recesses of Congress, by Richard S. Beth and Valerie Heitshusen. 7 OMB Circular No. A-11 (2016), distinguishes between proposals for rescissions and proposals for cancellations of budgetary resources. Rescissions are proposals by the President to reduce budgetary resources pursuant to the provisions and requirements of the ICA, and the President has the authority under the ICA to withhold such funds for 45 days. Cancellations, on the other hand, are proposals by the President to reduce budgetary resources that are not subject to the provisions and requirements of the ICA, and the President cannot temporarily withhold such funds (see GAO, Impoundments Resulting from the President's Proposed Rescissions of October 28, 2005, B , Mar. 2, 2006). Although both terms are sometimes used interchangeably to refer broadly to any legislative action to reduce budgetary resources, proposals for cancellations are not eligible for consideration under the expedited procedures in the ICA and would, instead, be subject to regular legislative procedures. The practice of the George W. Bush and Obama Administrations was to submit requests for cancellations and not to submit special messages proposing rescissions pursuant to the ICA, and thus there have been no requests that would be eligible for consideration under the procedures in Section 1017 since those submitted by President Clinton in The definition of a rescission bill is provided in Section 1011(3).
3 Congressional Research Service 3 has introduced the legislation by request in most cases, signaling that the act of introduction is not necessarily a personal endorsement of the bill. To qualify for consideration under the ICA expedited procedures, a rescission bill need not contain all of the President s proposed rescissions of budget authority. For example, the President could submit 100 separate rescissions, and a Member might introduce a bill containing just 50 of them. Multiple measures might be introduced in response to a single presidential message, allowing flexibility in the packaging of the individual rescission proposals from the President. A Member may also introduce a bill containing rescissions not proposed by the President, but such a bill would not be eligible for consideration under these expedited procedures. The introduced measure is then referred to committee. In the House, in most cases the bill is referred under the usual practice to the Appropriations Committee. 9 In the Senate, such measures would generally be referred concurrently to the Appropriations Committee and the Budget Committee. 10 Discharging a Committee from Consideration of a Rescission Bill in the House and Senate Section 1017(b) of the ICA provides that if the committee to which a rescission bill has been referred in either the House or the Senate has not reported it at the end of 25 calendar days of continuous session after its introduction, 11 it is in order on the floor to move to discharge the committee from further consideration of the bill (or to discharge the committee from further consideration of any other rescission bill that includes only rescissions proposed in the same special message). A motion to discharge may be made by any Member favoring the bill (if it is supported by one-fifth of the Members of the chamber, a quorum being present), although it would not be in order after the committee has reported a bill with respect to the same special message. Debate on the motion is limited to not more than one hour, divided equally, 12 and it is not in order to amend the motion. It is also not in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to. While this process could prevent a committee from blocking consideration of a bill when a majority wishes to take it up on the floor, the motion to discharge, even if it is agreed to, does not guarantee that the full chamber will consider the rescission bill. A successful motion to discharge would merely place the bill on the respective chamber s calendar. It would still be necessary for the chamber to adopt a subsequent motion, or use some other mechanism, to bring up the bill for floor consideration. It does not appear that this discharge procedure has ever been used. 9 House Rule X, clause (1)(b)(2), confers jurisdiction over Rescissions of appropriations contained in appropriations Acts to the Appropriations Committee. 10 A Senate standing order (originally agreed to on January 30, 1975, and modified by unanimous consent on April 11, 1986), provides that messages received pursuant to the ICA be referred concurrently to the Appropriations Committee and to the Budget Committee (as well as to any other appropriate committee exercising jurisdiction over contract or borrowing authority included in the message). The Budget Committee s consideration extends only to macroeconomic implications, impact on priorities and aggregate spending levels, and the legality of the President s use of the deferral or rescissions mechanism under title X. (Congressional Record, (daily edition), vol. 132 (April 11, 1986), p. S4157). The Appropriations Committee (or any other committee) retains their normal jurisdictional responsibilities under Senate Rule XXV, clause 1. The standing order further provides that the Budget Committee (and any other committee) must report their views, if any, to the Appropriations Committee within 20 days following referral. 11 See footnote 6 for the definition of continuous session under the ICA. 12 In the House, time is divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the bill, and in the Senate equally between the majority leader and the minority leader or their designees.
4 Congressional Research Service 4 House Floor Consideration Section 1017(c) of the ICA provides for the floor consideration of a rescission bill by the House. Such a measure is privileged for consideration, which means a Member could interrupt the regular order of business to propose that the House consider any such bill reported from committee (or discharged). In the 1970s, rescission bills were called up as privileged business on several occasions, although unanimous consent agreements were typically used subsequently to set terms for their consideration. In that era, however, it was more common for other measures that enjoyed privilege under House rules, such as general appropriations bills, to be considered in this manner. In current practice, most major legislation even that granted privilege under House rules or rule-making statutes is nearly always considered under the terms of a special rule reported by the Rules Committee (which can be used to set tailored parameters for consideration). In the absence of a special rule, the ICA limits debate on a rescission bill to two hours, and provides that this time be equally divided between those in favor and those against the rescission bill. Members may propose amendments, and the amending process would proceed as under the regular rules of the House, including the requirement that amendments be germane. By precedent, the germaneness requirement restricts House Members to offering amendments that either strike a rescission, change the amount of a rescission (but not to an amount greater than that proposed by the President), or add a rescission that was proposed by the President but not included in that rescission bill (but, again, not to an amount greater than that proposed by the President). 13 Senate Floor Consideration Section 1017(d) of the ICA provides for floor consideration of a rescission bill by the Senate. In addition, the Senate has interpreted the ICA to grant a rescission bill privilege for consideration. This means that the question of whether or not to take up a bill may be decided by a majority vote on a nondebatable motion. Under regular Senate procedures, the question of whether to take up a measure would usually be subject to extended debate; in that case, while the question is decided by majority vote, supermajority support (three-fifths of the Senate) might be required to bring debate to a close. The ICA limits the total time for debate on a rescission bill to 10 hours. As with similar limits on budget resolutions and reconciliation bills, this is a limitation on debate, not on total consideration. As a result, even after the 10 hours has expired, it is still in order to offer amendments or other motions (although they could only be debated by unanimous consent). The law also imposes a germaneness requirement on amendments to a rescission bill. Because the Senate has no general germaneness requirement, without this provision, Senators would be free to offer amendments on any topic. Unlike the House, however, the Senate apparently has no published precedent to guide Senators on what would constitute a germane amendment to a rescission bill. 14 Resolving Differences Between the Chambers Under the U.S. Constitution, the House and Senate must agree to the same bill with the same text before it can be presented to the President. If one chamber passes a rescission bill and sends it to the other chamber, and that chamber passes the measure without change, it could be sent to the President for his 13 Deschler, Louis and Wm. Holmes Brown. Procedure in the U.S. House of Representatives. 97 th Cong., 2 nd sess., (Washington: GPO, 1982), chapter 13, For a general discussion of germaneness in the Senate, see Floyd M. Riddick and Alan S. Frumin, Riddick's Senate Procedure: Precedents and Practices, 101 st Cong., 2 nd sess., S.Doc (Washington: GPO, 1992) (hereafter Riddick s Procedure), pp
5 Congressional Research Service 5 signature. If, however, either chamber amended a rescission bill sent from the other chamber, then the House and Senate must resolve their differences prior to presentation. The ICA does not create a process to facilitate reaching agreement on a legislative vehicle in a circumstance when the House considers a House bill and the Senate considers a Senate bill. The ICA also does not expedite the process of getting to conference, unlike other types of budgetary legislation established under the Congressional Budget Act. The ICA does provide an expedited procedure for the Senate to consider any compromise reached with the House. Conference reports are already privileged for consideration by the Senate, and the ICA adds a limit on floor debate of a conference report of two hours. In the event the House and Senate do not form a formal conference committee, and instead attempt to resolve their differences by considering amendments between the chambers, debate is limited in the Senate to 30 minutes on each amendment in disagreement. In contrast to the limits imposed by the ICA on these rescission measures, under regular Senate rules, both conference reports and amendments between the chambers could be subject to extended consideration (possibly requiring an affirmative three-fifths vote to reach a vote). The ICA contains no expedited procedures for consideration of a bicameral compromise in the House. It should be noted that the House and Senate are not prevented from considering a conference report after the period of 45 days of continuous session following receipt of the special message. In the Senate, however, the conference report would not qualify for consideration under the expedited procedure after the 45 days, and therefore the support of three-fifths of the Senate could be necessary to end consideration of the conference report. As a consequence, even if Congress chooses to consider a rescission bill, the period of 45 days of continuous session may end before a rescission bill has been enacted into law, requiring the release of the reserved funds. 15 Powers and Limitations of the Congress and the President The first section of the ICA states that nothing in the Act shall be construed as asserting or conceding the constitutional powers or limitations of either the Congress or the President. The provisions of the law described above reflect this intent. The law creates special procedures for the consideration of presidential rescission proposals, but the procedures of the ICA do not bind the Congress to the President s spending priorities: Congress can choose to consider all, some, or none of the President s rescission proposals. Congress and the President can also choose to rescind previously enacted funds by passing a law through the regular legislative process. The ICA was not intended to alter this, and Congress and the President have largely relied on the regular legislative process to consider rescissions. Finally, each chamber of Congress retains the constitutional authority to set its own rules of proceeding, and therefore can modify the procedures of the ICA even to the extent of rendering them inapplicable to legislation that might otherwise qualify for expedited consideration. The last known instance in which either chamber is known to have made use of the ICA procedures illustrates how Congress may choose to use these procedures in some, but not all, of its deliberations on a particular measure, and that the law preserves Congress s constitutional prerogatives. In 1992, President George H. W. Bush requested 128 rescissions in four special messages, totaling almost $7.9 billion. 16 In response to the requested rescissions, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees devised their own alternative packages. Because the resulting measure, H.R (102 nd Cong.), was comprised primarily 15 Johnson, Charles W. John V. Sullivan, and Thomas J. Wickham, Jr., House Practice: A Guide to the Rules, Precedents and Procedures of the House, 115 th Cong., 1 st sess., (Washington: GPO, 2017) chapter 7, 20. Riddick's Procedure, pp U.S. Congress, Rescinding Certain Budget Authority, and for other purposes, conference report to accompany H.R. 4990, 102 nd Cong., 2 nd sess., H.Rept (Washington: GPO, 1992).
6 Congressional Research Service 6 of rescissions initiated by Congress, rather than only rescissions requested by the President, it was considered by the House under the terms of a special rule reported from the Rules Committee, H.Res. 447 (102 nd Cong.). It is notable that, in addition to providing for the consideration of H.R. 4990, H.Res. 447 included language specifying that the procedures established under Section 1017 of the ICA could not be used subsequently to bring to the House floor a rescission bill comprising rescissions proposed in the President s special rescission messages. As amended, H.R passed the House, A companion measure, S. 2403, consisting of rescissions requested by the President was reported by the Senate Appropriations Committee with a substitute, 17 and brought to the Senate floor for consideration as a privileged question under Section The Senate subsequently considered the substitute which included some rescissions requested by the President, but was composed primarily of others that had not been requested. The substitute, as amended, was agreed to, By unanimous consent, the Senate passed H.R. 4990, with an amendment consisting of the text of S Subsequently, a conference report was agreed to the House, , and by the Senate, 90-9, before being signed into law by the President Three other measures consisting of rescissions requested by President Bush, S. 2402, 2551, and S. 2750, were disposed of by the Senate by unanimous consent. 18 P.L
Congressional Budget Resolutions: Consideration and Amending in the Senate
Congressional Budget Resolutions: Consideration and Amending in the Senate Megan Suzanne Lynch Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process June 23, 2009 Congressional Research Service CRS Report for
More informationAmendments Between the Houses: Procedural Options and Effects
Amendments Between the Houses: Procedural Options and Effects Elizabeth Rybicki Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process January 4, 2010 Congressional Research Service CRS Report for Congress Prepared
More informationSenate Rules Restricting the Content of Conference Reports
Senate Rules Restricting the Content of Conference Reports Elizabeth Rybicki Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process April 21, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RS22733
More informationPoints of Order, Rulings, and Appeals in the Senate
Points of Order, Rulings, and Appeals in the Senate Valerie Heitshusen Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process April 7, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov 98-306 T he Senate
More informationUS Code (Unofficial compilation from the Legal Information Institute) TITLE 2 - THE CONGRESS CHAPTER 17B IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL
US Code (Unofficial compilation from the Legal Information Institute) TITLE 2 - THE CONGRESS CHAPTER 17B IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL Please Note: This compilation of the US Code, current as of Jan. 4, 2012, has
More informationNuclear Cooperation Agreement with Russia: Statutory Procedures for Congressional Consideration
Order Code RL34541 Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with Russia: Statutory Procedures for Congressional Consideration June 20, 2008 Richard S. Beth Specialist on the Congress and Legislative Process Government
More informationThe Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction
The Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction Jessica Tollestrup Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process February 23, 2012 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees
More informationPoints of Order in the Congressional Budget Process
Points of Order in the Congressional Budget Process James V. Saturno Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process October 20, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov 97-865 Summary
More informationJoint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans: Structure, Procedures, and CRS Experts
Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans: Structure, Procedures, and CRS Experts Christopher M. Davis Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process February 20, 2018 Congressional
More informationPoints of Order, Rulings, and Appeals in the Senate
Points of Order, Rulings, and Appeals in the Senate Valerie Heitshusen Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process April 7, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov 98-306 Congressional
More informationThe Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction
The Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction Sandy Streeter Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process December 2, 2010 Congressional Research Service CRS Report for Congress Prepared
More informationPresenting Measures to the President for Approval: Possible Delays
Presenting Measures to the President for Approval: Possible Delays name redacted Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process May 3, 2010 Congressional Research Service CRS Report for Congress Prepared
More informationAvailability of Legislative Measures in the House of Representatives (The Three-Day Rule )
Availability of Legislative Measures in the House of Representatives (The Three-Day Rule ) Elizabeth Rybicki Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process June 12, 2017 Congressional Research Service
More informationBudget Process Reform: Proposals and Legislative Actions in 2012
Budget Process Reform: Proposals and Legislative Actions in 2012 Megan Suzanne Lynch Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process March 2, 2012 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees
More informationSenate Unanimous Consent Agreements: Potential Effects on the Amendment Process
Senate Unanimous Consent Agreements: Potential Effects on the Amendment Process Valerie Heitshusen Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process May 17, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700
More informationProcedures for Congressional Action in Relation to a Nuclear Agreement with Iran: In Brief
Procedures for Congressional Action in Relation to a Nuclear Agreement with Iran: In Brief Valerie Heitshusen Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process Richard S. Beth Specialist on Congress and
More informationProcedures for Considering Changes in Senate Rules
Procedures for Considering Changes in Senate Rules Richard S. Beth Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process January 22, 2013 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress
More informationHouse Offset Amendments to Appropriations Bills: Procedural Considerations
House Offset Amendments to Appropriations Bills: Procedural Considerations James V. Saturno Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process November 30, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov
More informationCRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web
Order Code 97-865 GOV CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Points of Order in the Congressional Budget Process Updated May 19, 2005 James V. Saturno Specialist on the Congress Government
More informationThe Discharge Rule in the House: Principal Features and Uses
The Discharge Rule in the House: Principal Features and Uses Richard S. Beth Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process October 14, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov 97-552
More informationCongressional Budget Actions in 2006
Order Code RL33291 Congressional Budget Actions in 2006 Updated December 28, 2006 Bill Heniff Jr. Analyst in American National Government Government and Finance Division Congressional Budget Actions in
More informationExpedited Procedures in the House: Variations Enacted into Law
Expedited Procedures in the House: Variations Enacted into Law Christopher M. Davis Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process September 16, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov
More informationThe Holman Rule (House Rule XXI, Clause 2(b))
The Holman Rule (House Rule XXI, Clause 2(b)) James V. Saturno Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process January 13, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44736 Summary Although
More informationChanges to Senate Procedures in the 113 th Congress Affecting the Operation of Cloture (S.Res. 15 and S.Res. 16)
Changes to Senate Procedures in the 113 th Congress Affecting the Operation of Cloture (S.Res. 15 and S.Res. 16) Elizabeth Rybicki Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process March 13, 2013 CRS
More informationThe Legislative Process on the House Floor: An Introduction
The Legislative Process on the House Floor: An Introduction Christopher M. Davis Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process December 1, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov 95-563
More informationThe Congressional Budget Process: A Brief Overview
The Congressional Budget Process: A Brief Overview James V. Saturno Section Research Manager August 22, 2011 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Congressional Research
More informationBypassing Senate Committees: Rule XIV and Unanimous Consent
Bypassing Senate Committees: Rule XIV and Unanimous Consent Michael L. Koempel Senior Specialist in American National Government Christina Wu Research Associate November 6, 2013 CRS Report for Congress
More informationCRS Report for Congress
Order Code RS20095 Updated January 28, 2004 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web The Congressional Budget Process: A Brief Overview James V. Saturno Specialist on the Congress Government
More informationAN ACT. To give the President item veto authority over appropriation Acts and targeted tax benefits in revenue Acts.
TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. AN ACT To give the President item veto authority over appropriation Acts and targeted tax benefits in revenue Acts. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
More informationThe Legislative Process on the House Floor: An Introduction
The Legislative Process on the House Floor: An Introduction Christopher M. Davis Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process November 7, 2012 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees
More informationCRS Report for Congress
Order Code 97-684 GOV CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web The Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction Updated December 6, 2004 Sandy Streeter Analyst in American National
More informationCRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web
CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Order Code RS21991 December 2, 2004 Summary A Presidential Item Veto Louis Fisher Senior Specialist in Separation of Powers Government and Finance Division
More informationPrepared for Members and Committees of Congress
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Œ œ Ÿ The Senate frequently enters into unanimous consent agreements (sometimes referred to as UC agreements or time agreements ) that establish procedures
More informationIntroduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress
Introduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress Valerie Heitshusen Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process February 16, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R42843
More informationParliamentary Reference Sources: Senate
Megan Suzanne Lynch Analyst on the Congress and Legislative Process Richard S. Beth Specialist on the Congress and Legislative Process April 21, 2008 Congressional Research Service CRS Report for Congress
More informationIntroduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress
Introduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress Valerie Heitshusen Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process November 30, 2012 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees
More informationThe Motion to Recommit in the House of Representatives
The Motion to Recommit in the House of Representatives Megan S. Lynch Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process January 6, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44330 Summary
More informationCRS Report for Congress
Order Code RL33030 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web The Budget Reconciliation Process: House and Senate Procedures August 10, 2005 Robert Keith Specialist in American National Government
More informationSalaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables
Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables Updated November 26, 2018 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov 97-1011 Congressional Operations Briefing
More informationSenate Committee Rules in the 115 th Congress: Key Provisions
Senate Committee Rules in the 115 th Congress: Key Provisions Valerie Heitshusen Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process December 6, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44901
More informationWikiLeaks Document Release
WikiLeaks Document Release February 2, 2009 Congressional Research Service Report RL30788 Parliamentary Reference Sources: Senate Megan Suzanne Lynch and Richard S. Beth, Government and Finance Division
More informationLegislative Procedure in Congress: Basic Sources for Congressional Staff
Legislative Procedure in Congress: Basic Sources for Congressional Staff Jennifer E. Manning Information Research Specialist Michael Greene Information Research Specialist October 6, 2014 Congressional
More informationFilibusters and Cloture in the Senate
Richard S. Beth Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process Valerie Heitshusen Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process May 31, 2013 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees
More informationThe Deeming Resolution : A Budget Enforcement Tool
The Deeming Resolution : A Budget Enforcement Tool Megan S. Lynch Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process June 12, 2013 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Congressional
More informationSummary During 2007, both the House and Senate established new earmark transparency procedures for their separate chambers. They provide for public di
House and Senate Procedural Rules Concerning Earmark Disclosure Sandy Streeter Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process November 18, 2009 Congressional Research Service CRS Report for Congress Prepared
More informationWikiLeaks Document Release
WikiLeaks Document Release February 2, 2009 Congressional Research Service Report RL30787 Parliamentary Reference Sources: House of Representatives Richard S. Beth and Megan Suzanne Lynch, Government and
More informationFilling the Amendment Tree in the Senate
name redacted Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process August 14, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-... www.crs.gov RS22854 Summary Amendment trees are charts that illustrate certain principles
More informationCongressional Action on FY2016 Appropriations Measures
Congressional Action on FY2016 Appropriations Measures Jessica Tollestrup Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process November 23, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44062 Summary
More informationRescission Actions Since 1974: Review and Assessment of the Record
Order Code RL33869 Rescission Actions Since 1974: Review and Assessment of the Record Updated March 14, 2008 Virginia A. McMurtry Specialist in American National Government Government and Finance Division
More informationThe First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the Senate Floor
The First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the Senate Floor Judy Schneider Specialist on the Congress Michael L. Koempel Senior Specialist in American National Government October 31, 2012
More informationWikiLeaks Document Release
WikiLeaks Document Release February 2, 2009 Congressional Research Service Report 98-671 A BALANCED BUDGET CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT: PROCEDURAL ISSUES AND LEGISLATIVE HISTORY James V. Saturno, Government
More informationHouse Standing Committees Rules on Legislative Activities: Analysis for the 113 th Congress
House Standing Committees Rules on Legislative Activities: Analysis for the 113 th Congress Michael L. Koempel Senior Specialist in American National Government Judy Schneider Specialist on the Congress
More informationSalaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes,
Cornell University ILR School DigitalCommons@ILR Federal Publications Key Workplace Documents 6-21-2016 Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2016 Ida A. Brudnick Congressional Research
More informationRegular Vetoes and Pocket Vetoes: In Brief
Regular Vetoes and Pocket Vetoes: In Brief Meghan M. Stuessy Analyst in Government Organization and Management June 9, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RS22188 Summary The veto power
More informationCRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web
CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Order Code RS20717 Updated July 6, 2001 Vietnam Trade Agreement: Approval and Implementing Procedure Vladimir N. Pregelj Specialist in International
More informationImplementing Bills for Trade Agreements: Statutory Procedures Under Trade Promotion Authority
Implementing Bills for Trade Agreements: Statutory Procedures Under Trade Promotion Authority Richard S. Beth Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process August 8, 2016 Congressional Research Service
More informationHow Legislation Is Brought to the House Floor: A Snapshot of Parliamentary Practice in the 114 th Congress ( )
How Legislation Is Brought to the House Floor: A Snapshot of Parliamentary Practice in the 114 th Congress (2015-2016) Christopher M. Davis Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process January 11, 2017
More informationDebt Limit Legislation: The House Gephardt Rule
Debt Limit Legislation: The House Gephardt Rule Bill Heniff Jr. Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process July 27, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL31913 Summary Essentially
More informationOne Hundred Twelfth Congress of the United States of America
S. 365 One Hundred Twelfth Congress of the United States of America AT THE FIRST SESSION Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the fifth day of January, two thousand and eleven An Act
More informationRecess Appointments: Frequently Asked Questions
Recess Appointments: Frequently Asked Questions Henry B. Hogue Analyst in American National Government January 9, 2012 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Congressional
More informationThe First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the Senate Floor
The First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the Senate Floor Michael L. Koempel Senior Specialist in American National Government Judy Schneider Specialist on the Congress Christina Wu Research
More informationSubmission of the President s Budget in Transition Years
Order Code RS20752 Updated September 15, 2008 Summary Submission of the President s Budget in Transition Years Robert Keith Specialist in American National Government Government and Finance Division At
More informationA Survey of House and Senate Committee Rules on Subpoenas
A Survey of House and Senate Rules on Subpoenas Michael L. Koempel Senior Specialist in American National Government October 26, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44247 Summary House
More informationProcedural Analysis of Private Laws Enacted:
Procedural Analysis of Private Laws Enacted: 1986-2013 Christopher M. Davis Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process April 9, 2013 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of
More informationRegular Vetoes and Pocket Vetoes: An Overview
Regular Vetoes and Pocket Vetoes: An Overview Kevin R. Kosar Analyst in American National Government April 22, 2013 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Congressional
More informationDeeming Resolutions: Budget Enforcement in the Absence of a Budget Resolution
Deeming Resolutions: Budget Enforcement in the Absence of a Budget Resolution Megan S. Lynch Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process Updated October 29, 2018 Congressional Research Service 7-5700
More informationCongress and the Budget: 2016 Actions and Events
Congress and the Budget: 2016 Actions and Events Grant A. Driessen Analyst in Public Finance Megan S. Lynch Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process January 29, 2016 Congressional Research Service
More informationExpedited or Fast-Track Legislative Procedures
Expedited or Fast-Track Legislative Procedures Christopher M. Davis Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process August 31, 2015 7-5700 www.crs.gov RS20234 Summary Expedited or fast-track legislative
More informationRegular Vetoes and Pocket Vetoes: An Overview
Regular Vetoes and Pocket Vetoes: An Overview Kevin R. Kosar Analyst in American National Government June 18, 2014 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RS22188 Summary The veto power vested
More informationItem Veto and Expanded Impoundment Proposals: History and Current Status
Item Veto and Expanded Impoundment Proposals: History and Current Status -name redacted- Specialist in American National Government June 18, 2010 Congressional Research Service CRS Report for Congress
More informationBUDGET CONTROL ACT OF 2011
BUDGET CONTROL ACT OF 2011 VerDate Nov 24 2008 15:30 Aug 09, 2011 Jkt 099139 PO 00025 Frm 00001 Fmt 6579 Sfmt 6579 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL025.112 PUBL025 125 STAT. 240 PUBLIC LAW 112 25 AUG. 2, 2011 Aug. 2, 2011
More informationWhen a presidential transition occurs, the incoming President usually submits the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (under current practices) or rev
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Œ œ Ÿ When a presidential transition occurs, the incoming President usually submits the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (under current practices) or
More informationBudget Reconciliation Process: Timing of Committee Responses to Reconciliation Directives
Budget Reconciliation Process: Timing of Responses to Reconciliation Directives Megan S. Lynch Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process October 24, 2013 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov
More informationAppointment and Confirmation of Executive Branch Leadership: An Overview
Appointment and Confirmation of Executive Branch Leadership: An Overview Henry B. Hogue Specialist in American National Government Maeve P. Carey Analyst in Government Organization and Management June
More informationRecess Appointments: Frequently Asked Questions
Recess Appointments: Frequently Asked Questions Henry B. Hogue Specialist in American National Government March 11, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RS21308 Summary Under the Constitution
More informationLegislative Procedures for Adjusting the Public Debt Limit: A Brief Overview
Legislative Procedures for Adjusting the Public Debt Limit: A Brief Overview Bill Heniff Jr. Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process August 6, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov
More informationFormer Speakers of the House: Office Allowances, Franking Privileges, and Staff Assistance
: Office Allowances, Franking Privileges, and Staff Assistance Matthew E. Glassman Analyst on the Congress January 3, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RS20099 Summary Since 1970,
More informationFilibusters and Cloture in the Senate
Richard S. Beth Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process Valerie Heitshusen Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process November 29, 2012 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and
More informationRECONSIDERATION. Rule XIII. [Procedure on Motion To Reconsider]
RECONSIDERATION Under the rules of the Senate when a question has been decided by the Senate, any Senator voting with the prevailing side or who did not vote may, on the day such action is taken or on
More informationCRS Report for Congress
Order Code RL33132 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Budget Reconciliation Legislation in 2005 November 1, 2005 Robert Keith Specialist in American National Government Government and
More informationAppropriations Report Language: Overview of Development, Components, and Issues for Congress
Appropriations Report Language: Overview of Development, Components, and Issues for Congress name redacted Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process July 28, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-...
More informationLegislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Proposals
Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Proposals Ida A. Brudnick Specialist on the Congress June 12, 2013 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of
More informationCRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web
Order Code RS22155 May 26, 2005 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Summary Item Veto: Budgetary Savings Louis Fisher Senior Specialist in Separation of Powers Government and Finance Division
More informationFY2014 Continuing Resolutions: Overview of Components
FY2014 Continuing Resolutions: Overview of Components Jessica Tollestrup Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process February 24, 2014 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R43405 Summary
More informationLegal Framework for How Shutdowns Have Occurred
plans for an orderly shutdown, 13 and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) indicated that a lapse in appropriations could affect agency operations with implications for whether employees should report
More informationIssue Brief for Congress
Order Code IB89148 Issue Brief for Congress Received through the CRS Web Item Veto and Expanded Impoundment Proposals Updated June 20, 2002 Virginia A. McMurtry Government and Finance Division Congressional
More informationResolving Legislative Differences in Congress: Conference Committees and Amendments Between the Houses
Order Code 98-696 GOV Resolving Legislative Differences in Congress: Conference Committees and Amendments Between the Houses Updated October 25, 2007 Elizabeth Rybicki Analyst in American National Government
More informationLegislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Actions
Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Actions Ida A. Brudnick Specialist on the Congress October 19, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R42072 Summary
More informationLegislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Actions
Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Actions Ida A. Brudnick Specialist on the Congress June 10, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R42072 Summary
More informationArms Sales: Congressional Review Process
Order Code RL31675 Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process Updated September 12, 2007 Richard F. Grimmett Specialist in National Defense Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Arms Sales: Congressional
More informationOmnibus Appropriations Acts: Overview of Recent Practices
Omnibus Appropriations Acts: Overview of Recent Practices James V. Saturno Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process Jessica Tollestrup Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process January
More informationContinuing Resolutions: Latest Action and Brief Overview of Recent Practices
Continuing Resolutions: Latest Action and Brief Overview of Recent Practices Sandy Streeter Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process October 1, 2010 Congressional Research Service CRS Report for
More informationLegislative Procedure in Congress: Basic Sources for Congressional Staff
Legislative Procedure in Congress: Basic Sources for Congressional Staff Jennifer E. Manning Information Research Specialist Michael Greene Information Research Specialist October 6, 2014 Congressional
More informationWikiLeaks Document Release
WikiLeaks Document Release February 2, 2009 Congressional Research Service Report RS20752 Submission of the President s Budget in Transition Years Robert Keith, Government and Finance Division September
More informationCRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web
Order Code RL32684 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Changing Senate Rules: The Constitutional or Nuclear Option Updated May 26, 2005 Betsy Palmer Analyst in American National Government
More informationThe Mid-Session Review of the President s Budget: Timing Issues
Order Code RL32509 The Mid-Session Review of the President s Budget: Timing Issues Updated August 19, 2008 Robert Keith Specialist in American National Government Government and Finance Division The Mid-Session
More informationHouse Committee Hearings: Scheduling and Notification
House Committee Hearings: Scheduling and Notification Christopher M. Davis Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process August 25, 2015 7-5700 www.crs.gov 98-339 Summary Each House committee has the
More informationVoting and Quorum Procedures in the Senate
name redacted, Coordinator Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process August 19, 2013 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Congressional Research Service 7-...
More informationAcross-the-Board Rescissions in Appropriations Acts: Overview and Recent Practices
Across-the-Board Rescissions in Appropriations Acts: Overview and Recent Practices Jessica Tollestrup Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process September 20, 2013 CRS Report for Congress Prepared
More informationHouse Committee Hearings: The Minority Witness Rule
House Committee Hearings: The Minority Witness Rule name redacted Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process August 14, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-... www.crs.gov RS22637 Summary House
More information