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SRES 1 · 119th CongressAdopted
A resolution establishing a Committee to Inform the President of the United States that a quorum of each House is assembled.
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Congress
Sponsor
John Thune
Introduced
January 3, 2025
Latest action
January 3, 2025
Legislative Progress
How far this bill has traveled through Congress
Introduced
Committee
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Passed Both
President
Enacted
Introduced
Bill filed in chamber
Committee
Reviewed & reported
Passed Chamber
House or Senate vote
Passed Both
House & Senate agree
President
Sent to White House
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Signed into law
Latest Action
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5-6; text: CR S6)
Plain-Language Summary
AI GeneratedAt the start of each new Congress, the President must be formally notified that both chambers have assembled a quorum—the minimum number of members needed to conduct official business. Historically, this notification has occurred through an established ceremonial process dating back to the founding era. The current practice relies on a joint committee of legislators from both the Senate and House to visit the President and deliver this constitutional notification, signaling that Congress is organized and prepared to receive any presidential messages or conduct legislative business.
This resolution establishes a committee consisting of two Senators to join a corresponding House committee for the purpose of visiting the President and formally informing him that a quorum exists in each chamber and that Congress stands ready to receive communications. The Senate, through this resolution, appoints its two-member delegation to participate in this joint notification process. The committee's sole function is to carry out this ceremonial but constitutionally significant duty—confirming to the President that both chambers have met the quorum requirement and are prepared to conduct the nation's legislative business.
The committee will execute this notification immediately following the adoption of the resolution, typically within the first days of the new Congress. No funding is required, as the committee members are existing members of Congress performing an official duty as part of the opening procedures of the legislative session. This resolution is a routine measure passed at the beginning of each Congress and carries no downstream effects on existing programs or markets; it is purely procedural in nature, establishing the formal mechanism through which the legislative and executive branches confirm readiness to engage with one another at the start of a new session.
Key Provisions
- 1Establishes a two-member Senate committee to join a House committee and visit the President to formally notify him that a quorum of each chamber is assembled.
- 2Directs the appointed committee to inform the President that Congress is ready to receive any communications or messages he wishes to deliver.
- 3Authorizes the joint committee to carry out this notification duty as part of the opening procedures of the new Congress.
★ Why this matters
This resolution enables the formal constitutional notification that Congress has achieved quorum and is ready to conduct business. It establishes the procedural mechanism through which the legislative branch officially signals to the President that both chambers are organized and prepared to receive presidential communications. Without this notification process, there would be no formal confirmation that Congress has met the quorum requirement necessary to exercise its constitutional powers.
● Who this affects
The President of the United States receives the formal notification that Congress is assembled and ready to engage. The two appointed Senators participate in the ceremonial delegation. Members of the House of Representatives who serve on the corresponding House committee participate in the joint notification. Congressional leadership benefits from the established procedure for opening the legislative session. All members of Congress indirectly benefit from the formal confirmation that quorum requirements have been met.
Bill Text
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<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 1
Establishing a Committee to Inform the President of the United States
that a quorum of each House is assembled.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 3, 2025
Mr. Thune submitted the following resolution; which was considered and
agreed to
RESOLUTION
Establishing a Committee to Inform the President of the United States
that a quorum of each House is assembled.
Resolved, That a committee consisting of two Senators be appointed
to join such committee as may be appointed by the House of
Representatives to wait upon the President of the United States and
inform him that a quorum of each House is assembled and that the
Congress is ready to receive any communication he may be pleased to
make.
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