| A | B |
|---|
| standing committee | permanent committee; every bill is assigned to one |
| special committee | temporary committee to deal with a specific topic |
| joint committee | Senators and Reps serve together; usually permanent |
| conference committee | joint committee used when bills are not exactly alike |
| Committee of the Whole | All the members of the House or Senate |
| voice vote | All in favor say Aye; opposed Nay |
| standing vote | All in favor please rise |
| roll call | each member's name is called; he or she then votes |
| electronic vote | members push buttons to record vote |
| veto | President rejects a bill passed by Congress |
| pocket veto | Bill passed by Congress dies because Congress adjourns within ten days |
| overriding the veto | President rejects bill; Congress votes to make bill a law anyway |
| House votes needed to override | Two-thirds or 290 votes |
| Senate votes needed to override | Two-thirds or 67 votes |
| Congress proposes states ratify | Most common method of amending Constitution |
| Constitutional convention states ratify | Second method of amending Constitution |
| House votes needed to propose amendment | Two-thirds in favor of proposed amendment (290 votes) |
| Senate votes needed to propose amendment | Two-thirds in favor of proposed amendment (67 votes) |
| State votes needed to ratify amendment | Three-fourths of the states |
| States needed to call Constitutional convention | Two-thirds of the states |
