Debate – Formal discussion presenting both supporting and opposing views on a matter before the legislative body.
Debt Ceiling – A statutory limit imposed on the total outstanding federal debt. The ceiling can be raised or lowered through an act of Congress.
Deficiency Appropriation – An appropriation to cover the difference between an agency’s regular appropriation and the amount deemed necessary for it to operate for the full fiscal year. In recent years, deficiency bills have usually been called supplemental appropriations.
Deficit – The amount by which the government’s outlays exceed it budget receipts for a given fiscal year.
Delegate – A nonvoting member of the House of Representatives elected to a two-year term from the District of Columbia, the territory of Guam, the territory of the Virgin Islands, or the territory of American Samoa. By law, delegates may not vote in the full House, but they may participate in debate, offer motions (except to reconsider), and serve and vote on standing and select committees.
Discretionary Programs – Programs funded by annual congressional appropriations bills, except for “appropriated entitlements” such as Medicaid or veterans’ compensation. Under the Budget Enforcement Act, these expenditures are capped.
Discretionary Spending Cap – Limits placed on the total amount of budget authority and outlays for discretionary programs Congress can provide in a given fiscal year.
District Office – Representatives maintain one or more offices in their districts for the purpose of assisting constituents. The costs of maintaining these offices are paid from members’ allowances. A senator can use the official expense allowance to rent offices in the home state subject to a funding formula based on the state’s population, among other factors.
Doorkeeper of the House – An officer of the House of Representatives responsible chiefly for enforcing the rules prohibiting unauthorized persons from entering the chamber when the House is in session. Elected by resolution at the beginning of each Congress, the doorkeeper is usually the candidate of the majority party.