Lawmaking Vocabulary

noun a procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote

• The senator called for a cloture vote to end the debate on the bill.
• Let's schedule a cloture so we can finally vote on this issue.
• I can't believe they're using cloture to rush this through.
• Sometimes we need to use cloture in our own lives to put an end to unnecessary arguments.

verb to make or enact laws

• The government is planning to legislate new regulations on environmental protection.
• They're going to make a law about it.
• They're gonna pass a new rule.
• The company decided to legislate a policy on workplace behavior.

noun a legislative body, such as the Senate in the United States, that is usually smaller and more deliberative than the lower house

• The upper house of parliament is responsible for reviewing and approving legislation passed by the lower house.
• Members of the upper house are often referred to as senators.
• The upper house is where all the big decisions get made.
• In the political landscape, the upper house acts as a check and balance to the lower house.