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7 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.- Unanimous Consent
- Congress
A way to act without a vote when no member objects. The Senate does much of its business this way, from scheduling debate to passing noncontroversial bills; a single objection blocks it.
- Uniform Code of Military JusticeUCMJ
- Law
The federal law that sets out the criminal code and court-martial system for members of the armed forces.
- Union Calendar
- Congress
The House calendar for bills that raise revenue or spend money. Committees' reported bills are listed there and taken up on the floor when leaders schedule them.
- United Nations
- International
The international organization of 193 member states, founded in 1945, that works on peace and security, human rights and development. The United States is one of five permanent members of its Security Council.
- United States-Mexico-Canada AgreementUSMCA
- International
The trade agreement among the United States, Mexico and Canada that replaced NAFTA in 2020.
- Universal Service FundUSF
- Program
A fund overseen by the FCC that helps pay for phone and broadband service in rural areas and for low-income households, schools, libraries and rural health providers, financed by fees on telecom companies.
- User Fee
- Budget and Tax
A charge paid by people or businesses for a specific government service or benefit, such as the fees drug makers pay the FDA to review applications.