United States Senate
Congress's smaller body
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government.
Each state elects two senators regardless of population, for a total of one hundred.
Senators serve six-year terms.
The Senate confirms presidential appointments, ratifies treaties, and conducts impeachment trials.
The bill passed the Senate but stalled in the House.
Delaying tactic through speech
- clotureProcedure ending legislative discussion
- unanimous consentComplete agreement by all
- roll callAttendance-taking procedure
- voice voteOral yes-or-no tally
markup · amendment · reconciliation · holds · motion · point of order · parliamentarian · yielding
Constitutional approval process
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
- impeachment trialLegislative removal proceeding
- subpoenaWrit requiring testimony
- contemptDisdainful disregard
oversight · investigation · advice · nuclear option · recess appointment
Over half of total
- minoritySmaller part of whole
- caucusParty selection meeting
- whipStrikes or aerates
- leaderOne who guides others
ranking member · chairperson · vice president · freshman · incumbent · dean · seniority · tenure
Amount owed, written
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- actDeed or performance
- statuteEnacted written rule
- amendmentChange to official text
sponsor · cosponsor · engrossed · enrolled · conference · reconciliation · omnibus · rider
Subset of larger panel
- hearingPerceiving sound waves
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- witnessOne who attests
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
oversight · markup · jurisdiction · referral · chairman · ranking
Legislative assembly building
- floorIndoor walking surface
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
- rostrumRaised speaker's platform
- daisRaised speaker's platform
cloakroom · well · presiding · gavel · sergeant-at-arms · pages · reception room · quorum
Temporary alliance for action
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- cross-partyInvolving multiple political sides
- gangOrganized criminal group
- consensusGeneral group agreement
cooperation · supermajority · moderate · centrist · bridge-building · bipartisan · accord · negotiation
Organized effort toward goal
- primaryChief in importance
- midtermExam at semester's middle
- incumbentCurrent position holder
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
constituents · electorate · super PAC · endorsement · turnout · polls · platform · concession
filibuster
Delaying tactic through speech
- clotureProcedure ending legislative discussion
- unanimous consentComplete agreement by all
- roll callAttendance-taking procedure
voice vote · markup · amendment · reconciliation · holds · motion · point of order · parliamentarian · yielding · germaneness
advice and consent
Constitutional approval process
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
- impeachment trialLegislative removal proceeding
- subpoenaWrit requiring testimony
contempt · oversight · investigation · advice · nuclear option · recess appointment
majority
Over half of total
leader · ranking member · chairperson · vice president · freshman · incumbent · dean · seniority · tenure · class
bill
Amount owed, written
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- actDeed or performance
- statuteEnacted written rule
amendment · sponsor · cosponsor · engrossed · enrolled · conference · reconciliation · omnibus · rider · earmark
subcommittee
Subset of larger panel
confirmation · oversight · markup · jurisdiction · referral · chairman · ranking
Capitol
Legislative assembly building
dais · cloakroom · well · presiding · gavel · sergeant-at-arms · pages · reception room · quorum · session
coalition
Temporary alliance for action
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- cross-partyInvolving multiple political sides
- gangOrganized criminal group
consensus · cooperation · supermajority · moderate · centrist · bridge-building · bipartisan · accord · negotiation
campaign
Organized effort toward goal
challenger · constituents · electorate · super PAC · endorsement · turnout · polls · platform · concession · runoff
United States SenateHouse of Representatives
Population-based legislative chamber
United States Senatestate legislature
Lawmaking body below Congress
state senate · city council · local government · state assembly · county commission
United, States, Senate, unite, unites, united, uniting, unities, unions