| A | B |
|---|
| speaker of the house | elected the presiding officer in the House of Representatives |
| president of the senate | actually the U.S. Vice-President |
| president pro tempore | serves as president of Senate in VP's absence |
| floor leaders | legislative strategists for the majority and minority parties |
| whips | assistant floor leaders in the House and Senate |
| chairmen | leaders of committees, usually from majority party |
| seniority | custom that gives experience the favor for chairmen |
| standing committee | permanent committees in each house that review bills |
| rules committee | in the House, it decides to which committee bills will sent |
| select committee | temporary panels established for a specific purpose |
| joint committee | panel formed from member of both houses |
| conference committee | select, join committee to reconcile versions of a bill |
| bill | a proposed law |
| joint resolution | signed by both houses and President, carry force of law |
| concurrent resolution | deal with rules for both houses |
| simple resolution | rule passed for only one house |
| rider | a provision attached to a bill that would not pass on its own |
| quorum | a majority of the full membership- must be present to conduct business |
| filibuster | attempt in Senate to "talk a bill to death" |
| cloture | allows for a forced end to a filibuster |
| veto | president's refusal to sign a bill to law |
| pocket veto | president kill a bill by taking no action and Congress adjourns |
