Select Committees

temporary panels set up for some specfic purpose.

Standing Committee

permanent committee in the house or senate that considers bills within a subject area

Joint Committee

a committee that includes members of both houses of Congress

Conference Committee

a temporary joint committee created to work out a compromise for the house and senate versions of a piece of legislation

Speaker of the House

presides and maintains order, recognizes speakers, interprets rules refers bills to committees, puts questions to vote

President of the Senate

the Vice President is the presiding officer of the Senate, whose duties are to recognize members, put questions on a vote and to ONLY vote to break a tie.

Rider

a provision attached to a measure that is likely to pass

Quorum

the portion of the full membership that must be present in order to do business

Concurrent Resolution

matters in which the Senate and the House must act jointly

Discharge Petition

move that forces a committee to present a bill for consideration to the House

Committee of the Whole

all the members of the House sitting as one large committee