Isabella Carter
The U.S. Constitution requires Congress to assemble at least once a year, with this meeting taking place on the first Monday in December unless another date is chosen. Each House must judge the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members, with a majority constituting a quorum to conduct business. The Constitution also mandates the State of the Union Address, delivered by the President, which assesses the country's situation and outlines legislative proposals for the congressional session. Joint Sessions and Joint Meetings are presided over by the Speaker of the House, except when counting electoral votes for President, when the Vice President presides.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often must Congress assemble? | At least once every year |
| When do they assemble? | On the first Monday in December, unless a different day is appointed by law |
| What happens if Congress is adjourned? | The President may veto legislation passed at the end of a congressional session by ignoring it, in what is known as a "pocket veto" |
| What is a quorum? | The majority of each House constitutes a quorum to do business; a smaller number may adjourn from day to day |
| What is a joint session? | Joint Sessions of Congress occur on special occasions that require a concurrent resolution from both the House and the Senate, such as the counting of electoral votes following a Presidential election and the President's State of the Union address |
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What You'll Learn
Congress must assemble at least once a year
The U.S. Constitution requires Congress to assemble at least once a year. Each House must be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members, and a majority of each House must be present to conduct business. However, a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may be authorised to compel the attendance of absent members.
The Constitution also outlines the procedures for Congress to conduct its legislative business. Congress has two-year terms with one session each year. The term of Congress is divided into two "sessions", with each new session commencing on January 3 unless Congress chooses another date. Before the Twentieth Amendment, Congress met from the first Monday in December to April or May in the first session and from December to March 4 in the second session.
The Constitution also mandates that the President deliver the State of the Union Address during the first two months of each session. This address is a speech in which the President assesses the country's situation and outlines legislative proposals for the congressional session. While it is not required to be delivered annually or in the customary manner, most Presidents since 1913 have followed the custom of delivering the address in person before both Houses of Congress.
Additionally, the Constitution provides for Joint Sessions and Joint Meetings, which are traditionally presided over by the Speaker of the House. These sessions include counting electoral votes following a Presidential election and addressing the State of the Union. Joint Meetings of Congress are held after unanimous consent agreements to recess and meet.
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The meeting is usually on the first Monday in December
The US Constitution requires Congress to assemble at least once a year. The meeting is usually on the first Monday in December, unless a different date is appointed by law.
The first Monday in December was chosen for its convenience for members involved in agriculture. James Madison had advocated for Congress to convene in May, as it was an easier time for travel, but the Framers chose December to benefit those with agricultural interests. The meeting date was also influenced by the desire to have more than a year pass between the election of Congress in November and the convening of Congress in the following year.
The first Monday in December marks the beginning of the first session of a new Congress, with the second session, or "short session", beginning in December of the following year and ending in March. A new session now commences each year on January 3rd, unless Congress chooses another date.
The Constitution also specifies that a majority of members constitutes a quorum to do business in each house. However, a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may be authorised to compel the attendance of absent members.
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Each House is the judge of its members' elections and qualifications
The US Constitution requires Congress to assemble at least once a year. The meeting is to be held on the first Monday in December, unless another date is appointed by law. Each House of Congress is responsible for judging the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members. This means that each House has the authority to determine the rules for its proceedings, including the qualifications required for membership.
The original plan was for Congress to meet from the first Monday in December until April or May in the first session of their term, known as the "long session". The second session, known as the "short session", would then take place from December to March 4 of the following year. This changed with the ratification of the Twentieth Amendment, which established that Congress should assemble annually on the third day of January, unless another date is appointed by law.
The provision that each House is the judge of its members' elections and qualifications is important for maintaining the integrity of the legislative process. It ensures that each House has the authority to determine the qualifications and requirements for its members, and to make decisions regarding the validity of elections and returns. This allows for a degree of autonomy and self-governance within each House, while also ensuring that any decisions made are relevant and specific to the House in question.
The specific requirements and qualifications for membership in each House may vary depending on the needs and priorities of that particular body. For example, the Senate may have different qualifications than the House of Representatives, as they represent different constituencies and have different duties and responsibilities.
The process by which members of Congress are elected has also evolved over time. Originally, senators were elected by the legislatures of their respective states, which could lead to delays in the election process. However, the Seventeenth Amendment changed this by establishing that senators should be elected directly by the people of the states. This amendment streamlined the election process and ensured that the voices of the citizens were directly represented in the Senate.
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A majority of each House constitutes a quorum to do business
The US Constitution requires Congress to assemble at least once a year. The meeting is to be held on the first Monday in December, unless another date is appointed by law.
The Constitution also specifies that a majority of members constitutes a quorum to do business in each house. This means that a majority of members must be present for business to be conducted. This provision was intended to prevent one house from blocking legislative business simply by refusing to meet.
To avoid consent issues during long recesses, the House or Senate may hold pro forma meetings, sometimes just minutes or seconds long, every three days. The consent of both bodies is required for Congress's final adjournment at the end of each congressional session. If the two houses cannot agree on a date, the Constitution allows the President to settle the dispute.
Joint sessions of Congress occur on special occasions requiring a concurrent resolution from both the House and the Senate. These include the counting of electoral votes following a presidential election and the President's State of the Union address, which is delivered at some point during the first two months of each session.
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Joint Sessions are presided over by the Speaker of the House
The US Constitution requires Congress to assemble at least once a year. Each term of Congress is divided into two "sessions", one for each year. A new session usually commences on January 3, unless Congress chooses another date.
Joint Sessions of Congress are gatherings of members of the two chambers of the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Joint sessions can be held on any special occasion, but are required when the president delivers a State of the Union address, when they gather to count and certify the votes of the Electoral College in a presidential election, or when they convene on the occasion of a presidential inauguration.
Joint Sessions are traditionally presided over by the Speaker of the House, except for the joint session to count electoral votes for President, when the Constitution requires the President of the Senate (the Vice President of the United States) to preside.
For example, on January 6, 2021, during the joint session of Congress convened to certify the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election victory of Joe Biden, a mob of rioters stormed and vandalized the Capitol building. The joint session resumed later that evening, with Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seated on the rostrum behind President Biden.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution states that Congress must assemble at least once a year.
Congress assembles on the first Monday in December, unless they appoint a different day.
The Framers chose December for its convenience for Members involved in agriculture.
If Congress is adjourned, the President may veto legislation passed at the end of a congressional session by ignoring it, in what is known as a pocket veto.
When Congress assembles, the President delivers the State of the Union Address, assessing the situation of the country and outlining legislative proposals.
