Congressional Quarterly’s American Congressional Dictionary

From Absence of a Quorum to Zone Whip, this handy desk reference volume aides librarians, students, and adults with more than 900 entries.

For example:

• Hopper - a box on the clerk's desk in the House into which members deposit proposed bills.
• Absolute Majority - A vote requiring approval by a majority of all members of a house rather than a majority of members present and voting.
• Queen of the Hill Rule - A House rule allowing votes on a series of amendments to a bill but directs that the amendment with the most votes wins, even if others also received a majority.

American Congressional Dictionary was written originally by Walter Kravitz, who was senior expert on Congress with the Congressional Research Service. Since his death, the volume has been updated by former CRS colleagues and now serves as the official definition guide for CRS experts.