enrolled bill

Intermediate 🏛️ Government / Politics

Definition

The final, certified version of legislation that has passed both chambers in identical form and is ready for presidential signature, essentially the official clean copy after all the messy democratic process. It's printed on special paper because apparently regular paper isn't dignified enough.

Example Usage

The enrolled bill sat on the president's desk for nine days while staffers debated whether signing it was worth the political capital.

Origin

Congressional terminology for the formal printing and certification process

Fun Fact

Enrolled bills are printed on parchment paper and hand-delivered to the White House by congressional staff, maintaining traditions from when this was the only secure way to transport official documents.

Source: Congressional procedure manuals and legislative process guides

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