What does congressionally mean?
“Congressionally” is an American adverb meaning in the manner of, by, or through the United States Congress. It is most common in legal, governmental, and administrative contexts, where it identifies Congress as the source or mechanism of an action. A program may be congressionally funded, a decision may be congressionally approved, or a requirement may be congressionally mandated. The word can also suggest that something was undertaken through congressional authority or procedures. It should not be confused with “congressional,” the corresponding adjective: “congressional action” is a noun phrase, whereas “the action was taken congressionally” uses the adverb. Although the word is specialized in typical usage, it is useful because it concisely states not only what happened but also which institution authorized or directed it.
adverbIn the manner of, by, or through the United States Congress. It is often used to describe legislation, funding, approval, or action carried out by Congress.
- In or through the United States Congress, especially by means of congressional action.
"The infrastructure project received congressionally approved funding."
"The committee issued a congressionally funded report on rural health care."
"The regulation was congressionally mandated and took effect at the beginning of the fiscal year."
One adverb can reveal where a decision came from: congressionally approved means the United States Congress gave the decision its authority.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does congressionally come from?
The word derives from “Congress,” which comes from Latin congressus, the past participle of congredi, meaning “to come together” or “to assemble.” In English, “Congress” developed a governmental sense associated with a deliberative or legislative assembly. “Congressional” was formed from that noun, and “congressionally” was created by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to the adjective.
How congressionally is actually used
This is chiefly a US term with a formal, governmental, or legal register. It can imply that Congress acted directly, although in some contexts it simply means that Congress was responsible for the action.
Easily confused with congressionally
“Congressional” is an adjective that modifies a noun, as in “congressional oversight,” while “congressionally” is an adverb that typically describes an action, as in “the measure was congressionally approved.”