Idioms

Christmas tree bill

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Christmas tree bill

In the US Congress, a minor bill that attracts many additional (and often unrelated) amendments attached to it, thus likened to ornaments hung upon a Christmas tree. Primarily heard in US. If one really wants to see how corporate interests pervade the political process, one must simply examine the numerous amendments of the so-called Christmas tree bills that crop up each year. Wow, that bill the Democrats put forth has really morphed into a Christmas tree bill, huh? Everyone wants to push something through with it. Can we please just stick to the issue at hand? I would like this bill passed quickly, and do you really think that will happen if becomes a Christmas tree bill?

See also: bill, Christmas, tree

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References in periodicals archive

Finally, at the close of each legislative session there is traditionally a "Christmas tree bill." It is a bill that spends money on the politician's chosen projects.

Legislature's early prison release program poorly crafted

Beyond that, the Bush administration's proposal reads more like one of those pork-laden Christmas tree bills of which Congress is so often fond.

Financial 'reform': an empty shell

Unlike Christmas tree bills, omnibus bills retain their focus on an issue such as education, but, instead of taking a piecemeal approach, they address the whole system, including such items as funding, level of expectations for students, discipline, licensure, and governance.

Stateline - Learning from the Experience of Others

This would prevent legislators from slipping open records or meetings changes into the so-called Christmas tree bills rushed into law at the end of legislative sessions.

The nation's first? Florida voters will get to decide whether or not to make the state's open meetings and records law a constitutional amendment

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