Isabella Carter
The US Congress is required to meet at least once a year, according to the US Constitution. Each Congress usually has two sessions, as members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms. Congress holds joint sessions to receive addresses from the President, such as the State of the Union address, and to count electoral votes for President and Vice President. The Constitution also grants the President the authority to summon Congress for a special session if circumstances require.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often Congress should meet according to the Constitution | At least once a year |
| When should Congress begin its annual session | The first Monday in December |
| When does a new Congress begin | Noon on January 3 of each odd-numbered year following a general election |
| How long does a Congress last | Two years |
| How many sessions does each Congress have | Two |
| How often do standing committees meet | At least once each month |
| When does Congress hold joint sessions | To receive addresses from the President, to count electoral ballots for President and Vice President, and to receive addresses from dignitaries |
| What are pro forma sessions | Brief meetings of the chamber during which no legislative business may be conducted |
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What You'll Learn
Joint sessions
The Constitution mandates that Congress convene at least once a year. Each Congress usually has two sessions, as members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms.
Congress holds joint sessions on special occasions that require a concurrent resolution from both the House and the Senate. These sessions include the counting of electoral votes following a presidential election and the President's State of the Union address. The President may also call a joint session of Congress on "extraordinary occasions" or in times of national emergency. Joint sessions may also be held to receive addresses from foreign heads of state, heads of government, or distinguished American citizens.
To avoid obtaining consent during long recesses, the House or Senate may sometimes hold pro forma meetings every three days. These brief meetings, which are more common in the Senate than in the House, are used to satisfy the constitutional obligation that neither chamber can adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other chamber. Pro forma sessions can also be used to prevent the President from making recess appointments, pocket-vetoing bills, or calling Congress into a special session.
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Pro forma sessions
The minority party in the Senate often holds pro forma sessions to prevent the President from making recess appointments of persons to fill vacancies in federal offices that would usually require the approval of the Senate. The President is permitted to make these appointments under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution during recesses or adjournments of Congress. However, persons appointed during a recess must be confirmed by the Senate before the end of the next session of Congress or when the position becomes vacant again. As long as the Senate meets in pro forma sessions, Congress never officially adjourns, and the President is blocked from making recess appointments.
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Congress schedule
The US Congress is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which meet in separate chambers in the Capitol Building. The Constitution mandates that Congress convene at least once a year, and each Congress usually has two sessions, as members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms. A new Congress begins at noon on January 3rd of each odd-numbered year following a general election.
The first session of each new Congress typically begins in January, with the second session commencing in late January of the following year. The congressional calendar outlines the measures eligible for consideration by Congress, while the congressional schedule details the measures to be discussed on a particular day.
Congress holds joint sessions for presidential inaugurations, to receive addresses from the President, and to count electoral ballots for President and Vice President. These joint sessions are presided over by the Speaker of the House, except when counting electoral votes for President, which is presided over by the Vice President. Joint sessions also occur when the President gives their State of the Union address, typically within the first two months of each session.
Congress may also hold pro forma sessions, which are brief meetings to satisfy the constitutional obligation that neither chamber can adjourn for more than three days without the other chamber's consent. These sessions are often used to prevent the President from making recess appointments or pocket-vetoing bills. Additionally, Congress holds joint meetings to receive addresses from foreign dignitaries, heads of state, and other distinguished individuals.
The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 requires Congress to adjourn no later than July 31st of each year unless there are extenuating circumstances. Congress may also take an August recess if it fails to adjourn by the deadline.
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House and Senate recesses
The US Constitution mandates that Congress convene at least once a year. Each Congress usually has two sessions, as members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms.
A recess of the US Congress or the Senate is a temporary break in proceedings. It can be within the same day, overnight, or for a weekend or period of days. Recesses are done instead of adjournments, which are more formal closures of proceedings. An adjournment for more than three days requires approval by both the House and the Senate, according to the Constitution, while recesses do not have such restrictions.
During a recess, the President can execute a pocket veto or make recess appointments to temporarily fill vacancies of senior federal officials without the constitutionally required approval of the Senate. Recess appointments end at the end of the next legislative session unless Congress approves the appointment. To prevent the President from making recess appointments, the House or Senate may hold pro forma sessions every three days, so they are never in recess long enough for the President to exercise this power.
Congressional recesses can also be used to prevent the President from calling Congress into a special session. Congress often holds business sessions only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, so legislators can visit their constituents over a long weekend that includes a workday. Congress also typically recesses the week of a federal holiday, and the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 stipulated a 30-day recess each August, except in times of war.
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Presidential addresses
The US Constitution mandates that Congress convene at least once a year, with each Congress lasting two years and consisting of two sessions. The first session of each Congress begins on January 3rd of each odd-numbered year, and the second session starts the following year.
Congressional sessions are marked by joint meetings and joint sessions. Joint sessions of Congress, which require both houses to be present, occur when the President addresses Congress, such as during the State of the Union address or other appearances. These joint sessions are also held to conduct formal business or count electoral college votes in a presidential election. The State of the Union address is typically delivered by the President during the first two months of each session, where they assess the state of the country and outline their legislative proposals. While the Constitution mandates this address, it does not specify that it must be delivered annually or in a specific format.
In addition to joint sessions, Congress also holds joint meetings, which can be convened to receive addresses from foreign dignitaries, heads of state, or distinguished American citizens. These joint meetings require unanimous consent from both houses to recess and meet.
The President can also call for special sessions of Congress on extraordinary occasions. For example, in 1948, President Harry Truman used his presidential nomination acceptance speech to call both houses back into session, addressing them jointly.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution states that Congress must meet at least once a year, and this meeting must be on the first Monday in December unless a different date is appointed by law.
Joint sessions of Congress occur when both houses are present, such as when the President gives their State of the Union address or appears before Congress. Joint sessions are also held to count electoral college votes in a presidential election.
Pro forma sessions are brief meetings of the chamber during which no legislative business may be conducted. They are held to satisfy the constitutional obligation that neither chamber can adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other chamber.
