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HCONRES 1 · 119th CongressPassed Chamber
Regarding consent to assemble outside the seat of government.
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H23)
Congress
Sponsor
Michelle Fischbach
Introduced
January 3, 2025
Latest action
January 6, 2025
Legislative Progress
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Plain-Language Summary
AI GeneratedThe Constitution grants Congress the power to determine where it meets, but by long-standing practice and federal law, the House and Senate convene in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution allows Congress to adjourn to a different location, but doing so requires explicit authorization. Currently, no standing authority exists for congressional leadership to unilaterally move legislative sessions outside the District of Columbia without a separate vote or resolution for each instance.
This concurrent resolution authorizes the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate—or their designated representatives—to jointly notify members to assemble at a location outside Washington, D.C., provided they consult with the House Minority Leader and Senate Minority Leader and determine that the public interest warrants the relocation. The resolution operates under Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution and applies throughout the 119th Congress. No new agency is created, and no funding mechanism is specified; the authorization relies on existing congressional administrative infrastructure.
In practice, this resolution would allow congressional leadership to move legislative sessions to an alternate venue if circumstances—such as a security threat, infrastructure failure, or natural disaster affecting the Capitol—make Washington operations impracticable. The relocation would require joint action by House and Senate majority leaders and consultation with minority leaders, but no formal vote by the full membership would be required once the resolution takes effect. The resolution remains in force for the duration of the 119th Congress and does not automatically extend to future Congresses.
Key Provisions
- 1Authorizes the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader of the Senate, acting jointly after consulting with minority leaders, to notify members to assemble outside Washington, D.C. if public interest warrants relocation.
- 2Grounds the authorization in Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution, which permits Congress to determine its meeting place.
- 3Limits the relocation authority to the 119th Congress, requiring separate authorization in future Congresses if the power is to continue.
★ Why this matters
This resolution creates a streamlined process for Congress to relocate its operations outside Washington, D.C. in emergencies or extraordinary circumstances without requiring a full legislative vote each time. It preserves the ability of Congress to function and conduct business even if the Capitol building or the District becomes inaccessible or unsafe. The change reduces procedural delays that could impede legislative action during crises.
● Who this affects
Members of the House of Representatives and Senate are directly affected, as they may be required to travel to an alternate location to conduct legislative business. The Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader gain operational flexibility to respond to emergencies. House and Senate Minority Leaders gain consultation rights but not veto power over relocation decisions. Capitol Police, congressional staff, and support agencies such as the Architect of the Capitol would manage logistics for any relocation. The general public is indirectly affected insofar as congressional continuity during emergencies affects government operations.
Bill Text
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<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 1
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That pursuant to clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution,
during the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress the Speaker of the House and
the Majority Leader of the Senate or their respective designees, acting
jointly after consultation with the Minority Leader of the House and
the Minority Leader of the Senate,
may notify the Members of the House and the Senate, respectively, to
assemble at a place outside the District of Columbia if, in their
opinion, the public interest shall warrant it.
Passed the House of Representatives January 3, 2025.