Joint Committee – A committee made up of members of both the House and the Senate. The functions of most joint committees involve investigation, research, or oversight of agencies closely related to Congress.

Joint Referral – Another term for a multiple referral: the referral of a measure to two or more committees simultaneously.

Joint Resolution – A joint resolution, designated H J Res or S J Res, requires the approval of both chambers and the signature of the President, just as a bill does, and has the force of law if approved. There is no real difference between a bill and a joint resolution. The latter is generally used in dealing with limited matters, such as a single appropriation for a specific purpose or the correction of errors in existing law.

Joint Session – Informally, any combined meeting of the Senate and the House. Technically, a joint session is a combined meeting to count the electoral votes for president and vice president or to hear a presidential address, such as the State of the Union message; any other formal combined gathering of both houses is called a joint meeting. Joint sessions are held in the House chamber because of its larger seating capacity.

Joint Sponsorship – Two or more members sponsoring the same measure.

“Journal” – The official record of House or Senate actions, including every motion offered, every vote cast, amendments agreed to, quorum calls, and so forth. The Constitution requires each house to maintain a Journal and to publish it periodically.

Junior Senator – The senator who has served for a shorter continuous period in the Senate than the other senator from the same state.

Junket – A member’s trip at government expense.