amendment in the nature of a substituteĪmendment that seeks to replace the entire text of an underlying measure. amendment exchangeĪlso referred to as “amendments between the houses” or, colloquially, “ping-pong.” A method for reconciling differences between the two chambers’ versions of a measure by sending the measure back and forth between them until both have agreed to identical language. See also Proposed/offered Senate amendment and Submitted Senate amendment. amendmentĪ proposed change to a pending text (e.g., a bill, resolution, another amendment, or a treaty ). Under the Constitution, adjournment sine die (except when the next session is about to convene) requires the agreement of both chambers, accomplished through adoption of a concurrent resolution, which in current practice also authorizes leaders of either chamber to reconvene its session if circumstances warrant. A “sine die” (“without day”) adjournment sets no day for reconvening, so that Congress will not meet again until the first day of the next session. adjournment sine dieĪn adjournment that terminates an annual session of Congress. adjournįormally end a meeting of a chamber or committee. In-depth descriptions are provided in “About” Legislation, Legislation Text, Committees, Committee Reports, Members, the Congressional Record, the Congressional Record Index, Nominations, House Communications, Senate Communications, and Treaty Documents.Īction Codes identify stages that condense detailed legislative action steps.

Brief explanations of legislative terms used throughout.

Another word for running down