Terms starting with "U"

Unanimous Consent Request A proposal that all members (of a chamber or committee) agree to set aside one or more chamber or committee rules to. Unanimous Opinion A unanimous opinion is a court opinion in which all participating judges or justices agree with the judgment, and in a fully unanimous opinion, the reasoning as well. The court’s opinion may still be accompanied by separate writings in some circumstances. U.S. Code The United States Code is the codification of general and permanent federal statutes, organized by subject into titles. It is prepared and published under congressional authority and is distinct from the Statutes at Large, which publish federal laws as enacted. U.S. Trade Representative The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is the President's principal advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade policy. The office was created by the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. § 2171) as an agency of the Executive Office of the President, and by statute the USTR holds "primary responsibility for developing, and for coordinating the implementation of," U.S. trade policy. The USTR is a Cabinet-level position, confirmed by the Senate, and leads U.S. negotiations at the World Trade Organization and in trade agreements. Unalienable Rights Unalienable rights are rights described as inherent and not properly surrendered or taken away. The Declaration of Independence refers to “unalienable Rights,” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” while enforceable U.S. legal protections are established through the Constitution, statutes, and other law. Unanimous Consent Unanimous consent (UC) is a procedure by which a chamber agrees to act without a formal vote, so long as no member objects. In the Senate especially, UC agreements are the everyday tool for setting the floor schedule, limiting debate time, and passing noncontroversial bills and nominations; because a single senator's objection blocks a UC request, leaders negotiate these agreements in advance. The House also uses UC for routine scheduling matters.