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42 plain-English definitions of the agencies, programs, laws and procedures that come up in bills and votes.
AI-AssistedWritten with AI from official sources. The official record always prevails. How we use AI.- Safe Drinking Water Act
- Law
The federal law that sets standards for drinking water from public water systems and protects underground sources of drinking water.
- Safe Harbor
- Legal Term
A provision that protects a person or business from liability or penalties if they meet certain conditions.
- School Breakfast Program
- Program
The federal program that pays schools to serve free or low-cost breakfasts to students.
- U.S. Secret ServiceUSSS
- Agency
The DHS agency that protects the president, the vice president, their families and other leaders, and investigates financial crimes such as counterfeiting.
- Secretary of the Senate
- Congress
The Senate officer who keeps the Senate's records, oversees its legislative clerks and parliamentary staff, and manages its finances.
- Section 230
- Law
The provision of the Communications Act, enacted in 1996, that generally shields websites and online platforms from liability for content their users post and for moderating it in good faith.
- Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC
- Agency
The independent agency that regulates the stock and bond markets, investment advisers and the financial disclosures of public companies to protect investors.
- Selective Service System
- Agency
The independent agency that keeps a list of men who could be drafted if Congress and the president brought back a military draft.
- Senate Class
- Elections
One of three groups of senators whose six-year terms end in the same year, so about a third of the Senate is elected every two years. Class II seats are on the ballot in 2026.
- Senate Finance Committee
- Congress
The Senate committee in charge of taxes, tariffs, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
- Senate Legislative Calendar
- Congress
The Senate's list of bills and resolutions eligible for floor consideration. Being placed on the calendar does not guarantee a vote.
- Sense of Congress
- Congress
A statement of opinion by Congress or by one chamber. It expresses a view but does not change the law.
- Sequestration
- Budget and Tax
Automatic, across-the-board spending cuts that take effect when spending goes over limits set by law, or when new laws add to the deficit under statutory PAYGO.
- Sergeant at Arms
- Congress
The chief law enforcement and protocol officer of each chamber, who keeps order, oversees security with the Capitol Police and can be directed to bring absent members to the floor.
In Bills:H.R. 6019
- Servicemembers Civil Relief ActSCRA
- Law
A law that protects active-duty service members in civil matters, such as capping interest on debts taken on before service and limiting evictions and default judgments.
- Simple Majority
- Congress
More than half of the members voting. Most questions in Congress are decided by a simple majority.
- Simple Resolution
- Congress
A measure, labeled H.Res. or S.Res., adopted by one chamber alone. It is used for the chamber's own rules and business or to state its views, and does not have the force of law.
- Small Business AdministrationSBA
- Agency
The independent agency that supports small businesses through loan guarantees, disaster loans, counseling and help winning federal contracts.
- Smithsonian Institution
- Agency
A museum, education and research complex established by Congress in 1846, funded mostly by federal appropriations. It includes the National Zoo and museums in Washington, D.C., and New York.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
In Bills:H.R. 1329
- Social Security Disability InsuranceSSDI
- Program
The part of Social Security that pays monthly benefits to people who worked and paid Social Security taxes but can no longer work because of a severe disability.
In Bills:H.R. 8884
- U.S. Space Force
- Agency
The newest branch of the armed forces, created in 2019 within the Department of the Air Force to organize, train and equip forces for military operations in space.
- Speaker of the House
- Congress
The presiding officer of the House, elected by the full House and usually the leader of the majority party. The Speaker is second in line to the presidency, after the vice president.
- Speaker pro tempore
- Congress
A member chosen by the Speaker to preside over the House temporarily.
- Special Election
- Elections
An election held outside the regular schedule to fill a vacant seat. House vacancies can be filled only this way; for the Senate, most states let the governor appoint someone until it is held.
- Special Rule
- Congress
A House resolution, written by the Rules Committee, that sets how long a bill will be debated and which amendments may be offered. The House adopts the rule before taking up the bill.
In Bills:H.R. 33
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and ChildrenWIC
- Program
A federal nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education and health referrals to low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5.
- Stafford Act
- Law
The main federal disaster law. It lets the president declare major disasters and emergencies, which makes federal aid available through FEMA.
- Statute of Limitations
- Legal Term
The deadline for bringing a lawsuit or filing criminal charges. Once it passes, a case generally cannot be brought.
In Bills:H.R. 1156
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationSAMHSA
- Agency
The HHS agency that funds mental health and addiction prevention, treatment and recovery services, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- SuperfundCERCLA
- Law
The 1980 federal law, formally CERCLA, that requires cleanup of the most contaminated hazardous waste sites and makes those responsible for the pollution pay for it.
- Supermajority
- Congress
A vote threshold higher than a simple majority, such as the three-fifths needed for cloture in the Senate or the two-thirds needed to override a veto.
- Supplemental Appropriations
- Budget and Tax
Extra funding passed after the regular appropriations, usually for urgent needs such as disaster relief or military operations.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramSNAP
- Program
The federal food assistance program, formerly called food stamps, that gives low-income households monthly benefits on a debit-like card to buy groceries.
In Bills:H.R. 42
- Supplemental Security IncomeSSI
- Program
A monthly cash benefit for people with very low income and savings who are 65 or older, blind or disabled. It is paid from general tax revenue, not Social Security taxes.
- Supreme Court
- Court
The highest federal court. Its nine justices, appointed for life, hear appeals on federal law and the Constitution, and its decisions bind all other courts on those questions.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
In Bills:H.J.Res. 1
- Surface Transportation Board
- Agency
The independent agency that regulates freight rail rates and service, railroad mergers and some other surface transportation.
- Surgeon General
- Agency
The head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the nation's leading spokesperson on public health, nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
- Suspension of the Rules
- Congress
A House fast track for less contested bills: 40 minutes of debate, no floor amendments and a two-thirds vote of those voting to pass.
The federal program that pays monthly benefits to retired workers, people with disabilities and survivors of deceased workers, funded mainly by payroll taxes.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
In Bills:H.R. 5345H.R. 227