Regular order

"Regular order" is a phrase lawmakers use for the standard, orderly way Congress is supposed to make law. In that process a bill is introduced, referred to a committee, studied at hearings, amended and approved in a markup, reported to the floor, debated with amendments, passed, reconciled with the other chamber and sent to the president.

There is no single official definition, and members use the phrase differently. For some it means that each of the twelve appropriations bills passes separately rather than in a giant omnibus bill or continuing resolution. For others it means open amendment on the floor, committee control over bills, or following the Senate's formal rules rather than ad hoc deals.

Both parties promise a return to regular order when in the minority and often depart from it in the majority, citing time pressure, narrow margins and the need to protect their members from tough votes. Supporters believe the process allows more members a say and better scrutiny of legislation. Skeptics note that regular order has often meant slow outcomes and that leaders' control grew because Congress was struggling to act. The phrase is most often invoked on spending bills.