Ways a bill can be killed

Standing committee

A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area

filibuster

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

Cloture

A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.

rules committee

A standing committee of the House of Representatives that provides special rules under which specific bills can be debated, amended, and considered by the house.

pocket veto

A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.

recommend to the floor

Challenge a bill

veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Majority Leader

The legislative leader selected by the majority party who helps plan party strategy, confers with other party leaders, and tries to keep members of the party in line.

Speaker of the House Conference

The person who presides over the House. The Speaker is responsible for many of the parliamentary duties, such as recognizing speakers, and is the most powerful person in the chamber.

mark-up

correct/proof reading of the bill

lobbyist

someone who tries to persuade legislators to vote for bills that the lobbyists favor

Amend

to change in a formal way; to change for the better

override

to overrule; to prevail over

pigeonhole

to set a congressional bill aside in committee without considering it