swampbuster n. a person who converts swampland into farmland. Etymological Note: Patterned after “sodbuster.” Popularized by the “Swampbuster” provision of the 1985 Food Security Act, which provides for sanctions against...
pay-for n.— «Democrats—do Democrats oppose the policies reflected in the tax provisions in the minimum wage bill? If a pay-for could be found, do you have any problem, since this is what—a much smaller tax provision than the vetoed bill...
belt air n.— «Stricken from Yonts’ bill was a provision that would have barred the use of conveyor-belt tunnels for coal-mine ventilation. “Belt air,” as it is known in the industry, may contain coal dust and toxic chemicals...
circuit breaker n.— «The same kind of proposal is offered for property taxes, with a special commission endorsement of the “circuit breaker” provision of Wisconsin and Minnesota laws that give low-income elderly homeowners and...
Couric clause n.— «The provision prompted an intensive lobbying effort from businesses, especially executives in the entertainment industry and Wall Street, who feared that competitive information about their star performers would be...
lockbox n.— «During the Kansas special session, a provision holding up a $33 million payment to schools became a “lockbox.”» —“Legislative Lingo” by Jim Sullinger in Topeka, Kan. Kansas City...