Congress Desk
Congress Bills
41 bills in the Congress desk, ordered for current relevance and readability.
CongressSRES-1-119Latest action: Jan 3, 20250 readersAdopted
A resolution establishing a Committee to Inform the President of the United States that a quorum of each House is assembled.
Sponsored by John Thune
At 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.
Congress
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Congress
CongressSRES-12-119Latest action: Jan 3, 20250 readersAdopted
A resolution notifying the President of the United States of the election of a Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate.
Sponsored by John Thune
The Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper is a constitutional officer responsible for maintaining order, security, and decorum within the Senate chamber and its surrounding facilities. This position has existed since the founding of the Senate and is elected by the full chamber rather than appointed by external authorities. The role carries significant responsibilities for protecting senators, staff, and visitors, as well as enforcing Senate rules and managing the chamber's day-to-day operations. Historically, the Senate notifies the President of the United States whenever it elects someone to this office, a formal courtesy that acknowledges the President's role as head of state and maintains inter-branch communication protocols. This resolution directs the Senate to formally notify the President of the United States that Jennifer A. Hemingway has been elected to serve as Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate. The resolution requires that official notification be transmitted to the President, establishing the formal record of her election to this constitutional office. This action follows the Senate's internal election process and represents the chamber's official communication of the outcome to the executive branch, ensuring that all branches of government are aware of who holds this key leadership position. The notification occurs immediately upon passage of the resolution and requires no additional funding or implementation timeline beyond the transmission of the formal notice to the President. This is a procedural measure that completes the Senate's election process by fulfilling the constitutional courtesy of informing the President. The election of a new Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper does not affect existing programs or markets, but it does establish the chain of command for Senate security and administrative operations going forward, with Hemingway assuming full authority over the office's functions and staff.
Congress
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Congress
CongressSRES-14-119Latest action: Jan 3, 20250 readersAdopted
A resolution electing Robert M. Duncan, of the District of Columbia, as Secretary for the Majority of the Senate.
Sponsored by John Thune
The Senate Majority Secretary is an officer position established by Senate rules and tradition to manage administrative and procedural functions for the majority party caucus. This role handles scheduling, communications, and logistical coordination for senators in the majority party. The position has existed for decades as part of the Senate's internal organizational structure, with each new Congress typically electing a secretary through a chamber resolution. The current arrangement requires the Senate to formally elect an individual to this position at the start of each congressional session. This resolution directs the Senate to elect Robert M. Duncan of the District of Columbia as Secretary for the Majority of the Senate. The election occurs through passage of this resolution, which constitutes the formal procedural mechanism by which the chamber designates an individual to the role. Duncan assumes the duties and responsibilities associated with the office upon adoption of the resolution. The position carries no legislative authority but serves as an administrative appointment within the Senate's internal governance structure. Upon passage, Duncan immediately assumes the duties of Secretary for the Majority, effective for the 119th Congress. The role carries no separate appropriation; the position is funded through existing Senate administrative budgets. This election does not affect any existing programs, legislation, or external government operations. The secretary serves at the pleasure of the Senate majority and typically continues in the role throughout the congressional session unless the majority party caucus votes to replace the officeholder.
Congress
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Congress
CongressSRES-15-119Latest action: Jan 3, 20250 readersAdopted
A resolution electing Gary B. Myrick, of Virginia, as Secretary for the Minority of the Senate.
Sponsored by Charles Schumer
The Senate has two principal officers elected by its members: the Secretary for the Majority, who serves the party controlling the chamber, and the Secretary for the Minority, who serves the opposition party. These positions, established by Senate tradition and internal rules, handle administrative and clerical functions for their respective caucuses, including managing records, coordinating communications, and supporting legislative operations. The Secretary for the Minority role has existed for decades as a counterpart to the Majority Secretary, ensuring both parties have dedicated staff support for their internal operations and members. This resolution elects Gary B. Myrick of Virginia as Secretary for the Minority of the Senate. The Senate, through this resolution, formally designates Myrick to assume the duties and responsibilities of the Minority Secretary position. The election occurs through a simple resolution requiring agreement by the chamber, making the appointment official and establishing Myrick's authority to manage minority caucus administrative functions, oversee staff, and coordinate with Senate leadership and members of the minority party. Myrick assumes the position immediately upon passage of the resolution and serves at the pleasure of the Senate. The role carries no separate appropriation; the Secretary for the Minority is funded through existing Senate administrative budgets allocated to minority operations. This appointment enables the minority party to maintain continuity in its internal administrative structure and ensures dedicated staff capacity for legislative support, constituent services coordination, and party communications throughout the 119th Congress.
Congress
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Congress
CongressSRES-3-119Latest action: Jan 3, 20250 readersAdopted
A resolution to elect Charles E. Grassley, a Senator from the State of Iowa, to be President pro tempore of the Senate of the United States.
Sponsored by John Thune
The President pro tempore of the Senate is the second-highest-ranking officer in the legislative branch, serving as the Senate's presiding officer when the Vice President is absent. This position has existed since the founding of the Senate and is filled through a formal resolution voted on by all senators. The role carries significant ceremonial and procedural authority, including the ability to recognize senators seeking to speak and to break ties on procedural matters. Traditionally, the position goes to the longest-serving member of the majority party, though the Senate retains the constitutional power to elect any sitting senator to the office. This resolution directs the Senate to elect Charles E. Grassley, a Republican senator from Iowa, as President pro tempore of the Senate. The election occurs through a simple majority vote on the resolution itself. Grassley, first elected to the Senate in 1980, is the longest-serving Republican senator at the time of this resolution's passage in January 2025. The resolution formalizes the Senate's choice through the constitutional process outlined in Article I of the Constitution, which grants the Senate the power to elect its own officers. The resolution takes effect immediately upon passage and agreement by the Senate. No additional funding or implementation timeline is required, as the position and its duties are already established under Senate rules and constitutional authority. Grassley assumes the title and responsibilities of President pro tempore, which include presiding over Senate sessions, maintaining order during debates, and serving in the presidential line of succession. The election does not affect existing Senate operations, committee assignments, or legislative procedures, though it does formally establish the Senate's leadership structure for the 119th Congress.
Congress
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Congress