Congressional Debate Vocabulary

A specific change to an item of legislation, explaining exactly which words it modifies, and not changing the intent of the legislation itself

• amendment

• precedence

• geography

• agenda

A constructive speech of up to three (3) minutes given by a member, which introduces an item of legislation for debate by the chamber

• Negative Speech

• Resolution

• Authorship Speech

• Agenda

A rule that requires the presiding officer to choose speakers who have spoken least (or not at all).

• Impartiality

• Precedence

• Agenda

• Recency

A rule where the presiding officer selects speakers based on who has spoken least recently (or earliest).

• Recency

• Precedence

• Agenda

• Futurity

A small group of members who meet and bring recommendations to the full assembly.

• Agenda

• Committee

• Geography

• Congress

A period where the members of the assembly ask individual questions of the speaker.

• Questioning period

• Deliberation period

• Voting period

• Authorship speeches

When a member has the full attention of the assembly to speak (also refers to the area where the assembly meets, where its members speak, and where it conducts its business).

• Docket

• Geography

• Agenda

• Floor

A complete packet of legislation

• Bill

• Agenda

• Docket

• Geography

The order of legislation as suggested by a committee or member, and voted on by the assembly (sometimes called the calendar).

• Agenda

• Bill

• Docket

• Committee

A specific, written proposal (“bill” or “resolution”) made by a member or committee for assembly to debate.

• Legislation

• Bill

• Agenda

• Geography