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Posts Tagged ‘Ilona Nickels’
Ask An Expert: First Congress
Question: Where and when did the First Congress meet? How many days were they in session and what was their agenda? Answer: The First Congress was one of the longer ones — but then so was its agenda. It drafted the Bill of Rights, it established the Departments of Treasury,...
Ask an Expert: How Does the House Ethics Process Work?
Question: In light of the recent charges against Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Maxine Waters (D-CA) I would like to know how does the House Ethics process work? Highland Falls, NY Answer: The House and Senate have the authority to discipline their Members for ethical violations, under Article I, Section...
Ask an Expert: Fewer Conference Committees – Does it Matter?
Question: A big deal was made about having a House-Senate conference for the Dodd-Frank Financial Sector Reform bill. Why? Aren’t conferences routine? Decatur, AL Answer: We are seeing fewer and fewer conference committees because, in a very disturbing trend, congressional leaders have avoided having them when major legislation is involved!...
Ask an Expert: Qualifications for Congress
Question: What does it take to run for a seat in Congress? Anonymous, Darien, Connecticut. Answer: Formally, not much. Informally, a lot! The required qualifications are found in Article 1 of the Constitution: House of Representatives twenty five years of age a citizen of the United States for 7 years...
Ask an Expert: What is a “Lame Duck” Congress?
Question: What is a “Lame Duck” Congress, now being talked about? Greenbelt, Maryland Answer: “Lame Duck” is used to describe any public office-holder who will not be returning when his/her current term ends. They may not be returning because they are not seeking re-election, or they were defeated in an...
Town Halls Over August Recess: A Long Tradition?
Question: My question is about the August recess Congress has every year. How long has that been going on, and why? And do Members always hold town meetings in August? Sacramento, CA Answer: Congress has an annual August recess because of tradition and because of law. The tradition stems from...
Congressional Sessions – Shorter Than Usual?
Question: How many days per year does Congress usually spend in session? Is this more or less than Congress did historically? Lincoln, NE Answer: Looking at just the past 11 years, the House has been in session an average of 142 days a year – the Senate, 162 days. You...
Ask an Expert: How Can Congress Just “Deem and Pass?”
Question: During the Health Care debate, they talked about the House “deeming” the bill passed without voting on it. The House also just “deemed” a budget passed, instead of voting on it. How did that work? Anne, Richmond, Virginia. Answer: They didn’t do it. What was procedurally possible was deemed...
Ask an Expert: What are Senate Holds?
Question: Please define the Senate’s “hold” procedure and explain how Senators use it to kill a bill. San Jose, California Answer: A “hold” describes a Senator’s request to his party leader that a specific bill or nomination be kept off the Senate floor for the time being. The original intent...
Ask an Expert: Legislative Information
Question: Where can I get basic legislative information: status of a bill, sponsorship of the legislation, etc.? Lindsey, Pittsburgh, PA Answer: You can do some research yourself on-line, or you can ask your Representative or either of your two Senators to answer your legislative question. Basic legislative information is readily...