These valuable tools are designed to empower you with the information and support needed to actively engage in the legislative process. Whether you are a National Certified Counselor, a member of the public, or a dedicated advocate, these resources are here to help you stay informed about our priorities, understand key policy issues, and effectively participate in advocacy efforts. By leveraging these tools, you can make your voice heard and champion important issues on behalf of the profession.

Advocate:

Amendment:

A formal change or addition proposed to a bill that is being considered by a legislative body. Amendments may alter bill language, provisions, or the scope of the original bill.

Bill:

A bill is the form used for most legislation, whether permanent or temporary, general or special, public or private. A bill originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H.R.,” signifying “House of Representatives,” and an S. when originating in the Senate, followed by a number that it retains throughout all its parliamentary stages. Bills are presented to the president for action when approved in identical form by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Committee:

Committees consider bills and issues and oversee agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions.

Committee Reports:

Committee reports  are a set of documents produced by House and Senate committees that address legislative and other policy issues, investigations, and internal committee matters. The four types of committee reports are:

Concurrent Resolutions:

Matters affecting the operations of both the House of Representatives and Senate are usually initiated by means of concurrent resolutions. A concurrent resolution originating in the House of Representatives is designated “H.Con.Res.” and “S.Con.Res.” is used by the Senate, followed by a number. On approval by both the House of Representatives and Senate, they are signed by the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate. They are not presented to the president for action and do not have the force of law. They are used to make or amend rules that apply to both houses; i.e., set the time of Congress’s adjournment.

Congressional Budget Office (CBO):

The CBO was established to give Congress a stronger role in budget matters. The agency provides objective and impartial analysis of budgetary and economic issues. It is strictly nonpartisan and does not make policy recommendations.

Congressional Record:

Each day around 10 am a “Daily Digest” is published on the Most Recent Issue page reporting on House and Senate business from the previous day. A delay in the availability of information may result after a late-night congressional session. You can also subscribe to daily email alerts for new Congressional Record issues.

Daily congressional proceedings may include legislative activity by the chambers and their committees, member remarks, communications from the president, and more. Note that official records of House and Senate actions are recorded in their respective  journals.

Congressional Research Service:

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) serves Congress throughout the legislative process by providing comprehensive and reliable legislative research and analysis that is timely, objective, authoritative, and confidential, thereby contributing to an informed national legislature.

Continuing Resolution:

A continuing resolution (CR) is a temporary stopgap by which Congress funds the federal government for a limited period to avoid a lapse in appropriations (more commonly referred to as a government shutdown). Lawmakers use CRs to ensure federal agencies continue operations until Congress and the president reach an agreement on how to appropriate federal funds for the rest of a fiscal year.

Co-sponsor:

Co-sponsoring legislation means a senator or representative adds their name as a supporter to the sponsor’s bill, thereby signifying agreement with the bill’s purpose and intent. An initial original co-sponsor is listed in the bill text at the time of the bill’s introduction.

Government Accountability Office:

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. It is known as "the investigative arm of Congress" or a "congressional watchdog." The GAO studies how taxpayer dollars are spent and supports Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities by providing fact-based information to aid the government in saving money and functioning more efficiently. It helps improve the performance and accountability of the federal government for the benefit of the American people.

Joint Resolutions:

Joint resolutions may originate in the House of Representatives or in the Senate. There is little practical difference between a bill and a joint resolution. Both are subject to the same procedures, in that it requires the approval of both chambers in identical form and the president’s signature to become law. An exception is a joint resolution that proposes an amendment to the Constitution. They must be approved by two-thirds of both chambers and three-fourths of the states, but do not require the signature of the president to become part of the Constitution. Once approved by two-thirds of both chambers, a joint resolution is sent directly to the Administrator of General Services for submission to the individual states for ratification. It is not presented to the president for approval. A joint resolution originating in the House of Representatives is designated “H.J.Res.” and “S.J.Res” is used by the Senate, followed by a number. Joint resolutions become law in the same manner as bills.

Lobbyists:

Lobbyists communicate the views of special interest groups to lawmakers with the goal of influencing how they write or vote on legislation. Lobbyists may use tactics such as meeting with legislators, organizing rallies, compiling research, and drafting legislation to communicate their client’s concerns and ideas to help shape public policy.

Marking Up a Bill:

Committee members in the House and Senate each participate in bill “mark up,” which is the process of examining, debating, and possibly amending legislation to propose to their respective chamber. Finally, the committee votes to order the bill reported back to the chamber with the recommendation that it receive consideration on the floor.

Motion to Reconsider:

A motion to  reconsider  is a procedural tool available to any member who votes on the prevailing side of a question/bill and who wishes to reconsider or revisit the question/bill on the same or succeeding legislative day. This often occurs when members (usually minority members) determine there is a need to slow down the legislative process. After final passage, it is common practice in the House for the Speaker to declare, “Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table.” If no objection is raised, this has the parliamentary effect of ending any possibility that another vote on the bill can take place.

Point of Order:

A point of order is an objection by a member of Congress claiming that a rule of the chamber has been broken. This includes prohibition against certain congressional actions or consideration of certain types of legislation. These prohibitions are enforced when a member raises a point of order against actions or legislation that may violate these rules when they are pending in the House or Senate.

Quorum:

A minimum number of members that must be present for a legislative body to conduct its business and make decisions. The specific number required can vary depending on the rules for the particular legislative body.

Simple Resolutions:

A matter concerning the operation of the House of Representatives or Senate alone is initiated by a simple resolution. A resolution affecting the House of Representatives is designated “H.Res” and the Senate uses “S.Res.” followed by a number. They address matters such as setting the agenda, chamber rules, and establishing committees, and do not have the force of law. They are not presented to the president for action.

Sponsor:

In Congress, a sponsor is the first member of the House or Senate to introduce a bill for consideration, and their name is listed first on the bill. Committees are occasionally identified as sponsors of legislation as well.

Subcommittee:

Subcommittees are smaller, specialized groups within a larger committee that focus on certain topics or specializations. Most subcommittees are created to hold hearings, mark up legislation, and report measures to their full committees for further action.

Unanimous Consent:

In parliamentary procedure, unanimous consent, also known as “general consent,” or in the case of the parliaments under the Westminster system, “leave of the House” (or “leave of the Senate”), is a situation in which no member present objects to a proposal.

IRS 501(c)(3):

In general, no organization may qualify for section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities attempts to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying).  A 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but excessive lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status.

Legislation:

Includes action by Congress, any state legislature, any local council, or similar governing body, with respect to acts, bills, resolutions, or similar items (such as legislative confirmation of appointive office), or by the public in referendum, ballot initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure. It does not include actions by executive, judicial, or administrative bodies.

An organization will be regarded as attempting to influence legislation if it contacts, or urges the public to contact, members or employees of a legislative body for the purpose of proposing, supporting, or opposing legislation, or if the organization advocates for the adoption or rejection of legislation.

Organizations may, however, involve themselves in issues of public policy without the activity being considered as lobbying. For example, organizations may conduct educational meetings, prepare and distribute educational materials, or otherwise consider public policy issues in an educational manner without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. Organizations may, however, involve themselves in issues of public policy without the activity being considered as lobbying. For example, organizations may conduct educational meetings, prepare and distribute educational materials, or otherwise consider public policy issues in an educational manner without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.

NOTE:

To determine how much lobbying is allowed by your organization, please see the IRS substantial part test and expenditure test prior to any lobbying.