Definition

An unrelated provision attached to a bill like a barnacle on a ship's hull, often sneaking through policy that couldn't survive on its own merits. Politicians use riders to smuggle controversial items through on popular legislation.

Example Usage

The agriculture bill somehow acquired a rider defunding the office that investigates agricultural fraud—what a coincidence.

Origin

19th-century American legislative practice, named because the provision 'rides' on another bill

Fun Fact

The line-item veto was partly created to combat riders, but the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in 1998, restoring the rider to its full parasitic glory.

Source: Congressional glossaries and legislative process textbooks

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