ENGROSSED meaning and definition

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What Does "Engrossed" Mean? Unlocking the Mystery of Congressional Jargon

In the world of politics, particularly in the United States Congress, there is a term that is often used but not always understood by the general public. That term is "engrossed." But what does it mean?

At its core, "engrossed" refers to the process of combining and finalizing a legislative bill or amendment after all changes have been made and agreed upon by both chambers of Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate). In other words, when a bill is engrossed, it means that the text has been finalized and is ready for signature by the President or passage through Congress.

The term "engrossed" originates from the days of hand-written documents. In the past, important documents were written on large sheets of parchment or vellum, and the process of combining multiple drafts into a single, final document was known as "engrossing." This involved a scribe carefully writing out the text in a clear and legible manner.

In modern times, the process of engrossing has evolved to include electronic versions of bills. Today, when a bill is engrossed, it means that all changes have been made and agreed upon by both chambers, and the final version is ready for transmission to the other chamber or the President.

The Engrossment Process

So, how does the engrossment process work? Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Mark-up: The bill is marked up in committee, where members of Congress propose changes, amendments, and revisions.
2. Vote: The amended bill is then voted on by the committee, with any dissenting opinions recorded.
3. Reporting: The bill is reported out of committee and sent to the full chamber for consideration.
4. Debate: Members of Congress debate the bill and propose further changes or amendments.
5. Mark-up (again): If the bill passes with amendments, it is marked up again in committee before being voted on by the full chamber.
6. Engrossment: The final version of the bill is engrossed, combining all agreed-upon changes into a single document.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "engrossed" is an important term in the world of Congressional politics. It represents the culmination of the legislative process, where a bill has been thoroughly debated and amended to become a finalized piece of legislation. Whether you're a politician or simply interested in the inner workings of government, understanding what it means for a bill to be engrossed can help you better navigate the complexities of lawmaking.

So next time you hear about a bill being "engrossed," you'll know exactly what that means – and you might just have gained some insight into the fascinating world of Congressional jargon!

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