Pro forma session definition9/12/2023 (Republicans, inconveniently, do not hold a Senate seat in any of those states.) Seniority counts too, with members lower down the food chain frequently called to serve. Geography matters: Lawmakers from Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware often pull duty for proximity’s sake. The leader’s office refuses to disclose ahead of time which members have been tapped, although there are a few rough guidelines that tend to be followed. Whenever a recess looms on the calendar, the majority party’s leadership asks a few members to be on hand to oversee enough quickie sessions to occur every three days. The whole pro forma process has a makeshift, vaguely sketchy vibe to it. (Reid’s office declined to comment on whether they regret having popped the cork on this particular genie.) That distinction goes to Democratic Leader Harry Reid, who pioneered the practice during the waning years of George W. cannot take the blame for this procedural obstruction. And although this Republican majority has shown a special fondness for bogging down nominations, McConnell and Co. Partisan relations being what they are, the practice is pretty much standard nowadays during breaks of more than a few days. Not that it requires a Supreme Court standoff to prompt “gavel-in, gavel-out” sessions. And with Senate Republicans currently refusing even to consider President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court, a recess appointment is something Majority Leader Mitch McConnell simply will not risk. A recess of that length opens the door to recess appointments by the president. Except that, if this tiny pro forma session had not taken place (nor the three more upcoming one like it scheduled for the break), the Senate would be in recess for more than 10 days-which, as any legislator can tell you, is a no-no. It was, by and large, a scorching waste of time for everyone who had to be on hand to make it happen. No business was conducted, and no member besides Cornyn bothered showing up. Thursday, gave the gavel a closing bang, and made for the door.Īll told, Monday’s session lasted a whopping 35 seconds. And with that, Cornyn declared the body adjourned until 11 a.m. The lanky, bespectacled clerk rose and delivered a one-sentence order appointing Cornyn chairman for the day. on the dot, he gaveled the empty room to order, and, per the short script someone had thoughtfully left him, directed the legislative clerk to read “a communication to the Senate” from Senate president pro tempore Orrin Hatch. Charcoal suit sharp, white hair gleaming, the Republican whip greeted the assembled few as he made his way to the presiding officer’s chair. Just before the hour, Senator John Cornyn of Texas sauntered in. Then everyone sat around chatting, as a few more tourists trickled into the upper decks. neared, the parliamentarian, two clerks, and a couple of other Senate officers took their places at the front of the empty chamber. Constitution (Article I, section 1 12th Amendment).But not everyone was out enjoying the recess. Joint Sessions typically are reserved to hear an address from the President of the United States or to count presidential electoral votes as specified by the U.S. There are, however, two exceptions to this rule: the House must also approve appointments to the Vice Presidency and any treaty that involves foreign trade.Ĭan the President call a joint session of Congress?Ī Joint Session takes place when the House and Senate adopt a concurrent resolution. The Senate has the sole power to confirm those of the President’s appointments that require consent, and to ratify treaties. Is the Senate more powerful than the House of Representatives? The 117th Congress convened on January 3, 2021, and will conclude on January 3, 2023. The 117th United States Congress is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. A new Congress convenes on January 3 of each odd-numbered year. When does a new Congress convene? There are two regular sessions of Congress during each term. How many sessions must Congress hold during each term?
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