Measures, and Resolutions, and Bills, OH MY!

During the current budget discussions it has dawned on me that I must not have paid as close attention in government class as I once thought I did. Being very interested I really thought that I knew the ins and outs, ups and downs of everything that is government terminology. I’ve noticed that more and more I’ve been “googling” to make sure that I am accurate in my thinking of definitions of certain government terms. I thought it might be helpful to share the terms because looking them up online isn’t as easy as you would think! It is no wonder that we have apathy towards our government. It is confusing and I think that is the reason why so many people retreat. All right. Here is a crash course in what a measure, resolution, and bill are, and how they are related to one another.

Step 1: Watch this. It is great. No matter how many times you have seen it. We love you Schoolhouse Rocks! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ

Step 2: Read below.

Measures

A measure is actually a term for any of the forms of legislation including, bills or resolutions. Basically anything the Senate takes action upon.  

Bills

A bill is the most common way that lawmakers propose legislation. A bill is the reauthorizing of federal policies, programs, and activities. It can also establish federal agencies and departments.  Private bills are bills that are named to specific individuals. The abbreviation for bills are S.1(or any number assigned) for bills in the Senate and H.R.1(or any number assigned) for bills in the House of Representatives. To see current bills in legislation, vote on them, and have your vote sent to your Congressman go to http://thevotereffect.com.

Resolution

Three types of resolutions used in lawmaking are; joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, and simple resolutions.  

A joint resolution is used for, “incidental, inferior, or unusual purposes of legislation.” (House Manual,section 397) A joint resolution is also used in a declaration of war, continuing resolutions, i.e., for continuing the budget at current spending levels, to transfer appropriations, adjust the debt limit, to change the date Congress returns to session, approving or disproving executive action (president action), or extension of reporting dates. A joint resolution may also end treaties, extend congratulations, welcome, or thanks, as well as propose a Constitutional Amendment. Some joint resolutions to look for in the near future might include raising the debt ceiling, or another continuing resolution in regards to the budget. In a nutshell joint resolutions deal with the weird stuff that happens in Congress. Both Houses are required to pass a joint resolution. It can become a law.

A concurrent resolution includes the Congressional budget resolution, a sense of Congress resolution which means, “Fact, principles, opinions, and purposes of the two houses” House Manual, section 396. Concurrent resolutions also include adjournment, recess, correction of conference reports or enrolled bills, request for return measures presented to the President, creation of a joint committee of both Houses of Congress, and providing for a joint session of Congress. In a nutshell concurrent resolutions deal with many of the actions of Congress. They are not submitted to the President and cannot become law.

Gathering from how our government operates nothing is simple, but let’s see just how simple a simple resolution can be. They can be the adoption or amendment of the chamber rules. It can be a specific rule, order of business resolution, establishment of a standing order, privileges of the house resolution, and personal privilege of individual member, election of committee members or chamber offices, or terminating, censuring, or other discipline of a member. Committee funding, spending from the chambers fund, or creation of a special committee is also a simple resolution. If Congress wants to ratify, notify, or inquire they will do so through a simple resolution. A simple resolution is a request for the other house to return a measure, a citation for contempt of Congress, authorization of response to subpoena, discharge committee from a measure, nomination, or treaty. As suspected a simple resolution is nothing of the sort. Simple resolutions are nonbinding and deal with the internal affairs of the Senate. Simple resolutions do not require action by the House.

If you already knew all of this, good for you! If you learned something new that is fabulous too! J See current bills in legislation @ http://thevotereffect.com . Vote on bills, get your vote to your legislation, and revolutionize the way you interact with your Representatives and government.