Dictionary definition of “fill the tree”

fill the tree

v. phr. in the U.S. Congress, to take all available slots for amendments on legislation in order to block competing amendments. Subjects: English, United States, Politics, Jargon

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Citations: 1996 David C. Beeder Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska) (May 12) “Gridlock vs. Checks and Balances GOP, Democrats Refuse to Accept Responsibility for Slowdown” p. 14A: Dole has blocked action on the wage increase with a parliamentary maneuver known as “filling the tree,” which means no amendments may be made on pending legislation. 1997 Washington Post (Oct. 27) “In Translation…” p. A23: “Fill the tree”—This is Lott’s technique. Under Senate procedures, a bill may have only a finite number of amendments attached to it at one time. This is called the “amendment tree,” and the Senate’s manual of procedures has charts describing how many and what kind of amendments a particular bill might have. Highway reauthorization offers seven slots: six for amendments and one for a motion to send the bill back to a committee. Lott filled them all up the moment he brought the bill to the floor, allowing no one else (Democrats) a chance to hang anything (campaign finance) on the tree. 2006 Audrey Hudson World Peace Herald (Washington, D.C.) (Apr. 10) “Senators warned on immigration rallies”: Republicans wanted to offer as many as 20 amendments to the Senate version, in a procedure called “filling the tree,” which often is used to kill legislation by adding provisions unacceptable to bill’s core supporters.

Posted 19 Apr 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend