Christmas tree bill
A bill consisting of many riders that attracts many, often unrelated, floor amendments, which may provide special benefits to various groups or interests.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The senator added many small projects to the Christmas tree bill.”
“Because the budget proposal became a Christmas tree bill, it included funding for dozens of unrelated local projects to gain enough votes.”
“Legislators often load a Christmas tree bill with diverse amendments to ensure broad support, even if the resulting legislation lacks a cohesive purpose.”
From Christmas tree and bill, a compound of the holiday name and the legislative term.
- 01
bark up the wrong tree
To take the wrong approach to a situation; to follow a false lead; to attempt to solve a problem using mistaken assumptions about its true nature.
- 02
bill of goods
A set of misleading or deceptive claims.
- 03
butcher's bill
death toll
- 04
cancel someone's Christmas
To kill or destroy someone.
- 05
charm the birds from the trees
To behave in a very charming manner.
- 06
Christmas come early
Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.
- 07
Christmas graduate
A freshman who drops out of college at the end of the first semester.
- 08
dead tree edition
The physical, printed version of a publication.
Last updated August 10, 2026