Glossary
Political Terms and Definitions
What is a Quorum?
A Quorum is the minimum number of House members or Senators that must be present before business may be conducted. A quorum in the House requires the presence of 218, while 100 are needed in Committee of the Whole. The Constitution requires 51 Senators for a quorum. Often, fewer Senators are actually present on the [...]
What is a Bill?
A Bill is the principal way lawmakers introduce their proposals (enacting or repealing laws, for example) in Congress. Bills are designated S. 1, S. 2 or H.R. 1, H.R. 2 and so on depending on the order in which they are introduced and whether they were introduced in the House or Representatives or the Senate. [...]