Terms starting with "C"

Constituent In U.S. congressional representation, a constituent is a person who lives within the geographic area represented by a Member of Congress. For a House member, that area is a congressional district; members represent its people and speak with constituents and review constituent mail. Constituent Services Constituent services are nonlegislative activities that Members of Congress and their staff undertake for constituents. One form is casework: responding to requests for assistance, often by helping constituents deal with administrative agencies and facilitating communication with them. Constitution Annotated A Library of Congress resource that provides legal analysis and interpretation of the United States Constitution. Congressional Report A congressional report is a written analysis, finding, or explanation produced for or by Congress. Reports may come from committees, the Congressional Research Service, or other authorized congressional bodies and can inform lawmaking, oversight, and public understanding. The term covers several report types, so the issuing body and purpose matter. Congressional Review Act The Congressional Review Act (CRA) is a federal law that gives Congress a process to review certain agency rules and disapprove them through a joint resolution. If the resolution becomes law, the rule is nullified, and the agency may face limits on issuing a substantially similar rule unless Congress authorizes it. Confidence Vote A confidence vote is a parliamentary vote that tests whether the government retains the legislature’s support to govern. In the UK House of Commons, confidence can be tested directly by a confidence or no-confidence motion; if confidence is clearly lost, convention expects the prime minister either to resign or request Parliament’s dissolution, leading to a general election. Confirmation Confirmation is the formal approval required from an authorized body for a nomination or appointment to take effect. For many senior federal positions, the President nominates a person and the Senate votes whether to confirm the nomination. The requirements vary by office. Confirmation Hearing A confirmation hearing is a proceeding in which a Senate committee questions a presidential nominee for an office that requires Senate confirmation. Senators may ask about the nominee's experience, qualifications, views, and approach to the responsibilities of the position. A hearing is one step in the process; the Senate later decides whether to confirm. Conflict of Interest A conflict of interest occurs when a person's private interests could improperly influence, or appear to influence, their official decisions. Federal law restricts certain government employees from participating personally and substantially in matters affecting their financial interests, subject to the law's details and exceptions. Congressional District A congressional district is a geographic area from which voters elect one member of the U.S. House of Representatives. After House seats are apportioned among states based on the decennial census, states with multiple seats establish districts, which must be as equal in population as practicable. Redistricting usually follows the census and apportionment, but districts can also be changed mid-decade under applicable rules. Congressional Oversight Congressional Oversight is Congress’s review of executive agencies, federal programs, spending, officials, and implementation of laws. It can include hearings, document requests, reports, investigations, and subpoenas. Congressional Record The Congressional Record is the official publication of debates, proceedings, and certain other actions of the U.S. Congress. It includes material from the House and Senate, statements made during floor proceedings, and records of legislative business. The Record helps the public follow what lawmakers said and did.