[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 178 (Monday, October 19, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6059-S6062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             U.S. SENATE CHAMBER AND GALLERIES REGULATIONS

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, in accordance with rule 23 of the Rules of 
Procedure of the Committee on Rules and Administration and pursuant to 
Senate Rule XXXIII, on October 7, 2020, the Committee on Rules and 
Administration adopted the ``United States Senate Chamber and Galleries 
Regulations,'' which supersede and replace the current ``Rules for 
Regulation of the Senate Wing of the United States Capitol and Senate 
Office Buildings.''
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

         United States Senate Chamber and Galleries Regulations


  Adopted by the Committee on Rules and Administration on October 7, 
   2020, pursuant to Rule XXXIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate

       1.0  Scope--These regulations are applicable only to the 
     Senate Chamber and Galleries.
       2.0  Definitions--For purposes of these regulations, the 
     following terms have the meaning specified.
       2.1  Cloakroom means the two spaces, one assigned to the 
     majority party and one assigned to the minority party, 
     adjacent to the Senate Chamber.
       2.2  Galleries means the ten seating galleries located in 
     the Senate Chamber.
       2.3  Marble Room means the Senators meeting room adjacent 
     to the Senate Lobby.
       2.4  Senate Chamber means the space that encompasses the 
     Senate Floor and Galleries.
       2.5  Senate Floor means the floor of the Senate Chamber.
       2.6  Senate Lobby means the hallway space adjoining the 
     Senate Chamber to the Marble Room.
       2.7  Sergeant at Arms means the Sergeant at Arms of the 
     Senate.
       3.0  Sergeant at Arms Chamber and Galleries Duties--The 
     Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, under the direction of the 
     Presiding Officer, shall be the Executive Officer of the body 
     for the enforcement of all rules made by the Committee on 
     Rules and Administration for the regulation of the Senate 
     Chamber and Galleries.
       3.1  The Senate Floor shall be at all times under the 
     Sergeant at Arms' immediate supervision, and the Sergeant at 
     Arms shall see that the various subordinate officers of the 
     Office of the Sergeant at Arms perform the duties to which 
     they are especially assigned.
       3.2  The Sergeant at Arms shall see that the messengers 
     assigned to the doors upon the Senate Floor are at their 
     posts and that the Senate Floor, Cloakrooms, and Senate Lobby 
     are cleared at least five minutes before the opening of daily 
     sessions of all persons not entitled to remain there.
       3.3  In the absence of the Sergeant at Arms the duties of 
     the office, so far as they pertain to the enforcement of the 
     rules, shall devolve upon the Deputy Sergeant at Arms.
       4.0  Messengers Acting as Assistant Doorkeepers--The 
     messengers acting as Assistant Doorkeepers shall be assigned 
     to their duties by the Sergeant at Arms.
       5.0  Assignment of Majority and Minority Secretaries--The 
     secretary for the majority and the secretary for the minority 
     shall be assigned, during the daily sessions of the Senate, 
     to duty upon the Senate Floor.
       6.0  Use of the Senate Chamber--When the Senate is not 
     sitting in session or otherwise using the Chamber for some 
     function of the Senate, no Senator shall seat any person or 
     persons in chairs of Senators other than the chair assigned, 
     no other persons shall seat anyone in a chair of a Senator; 
     and lectures, talks, or speeches shall not be given at such 
     times to groups on the Senate Floor by Senators or others 
     except for the purpose of explaining the Chamber.
       7.0  Use of the Marble Room--No persons shall be admitted 
     to the Marble Room except Senators.
       8.0  Use of the Cloakrooms--No persons shall be admitted to 
     the Cloakrooms except those entitled to the privileges of the 
     Senate Floor under the Rule XXIII of the Standing Rules of 
     the Senate.
       9.0  Use of the Senate Lobby--No persons shall be admitted 
     to the Senate Lobby except those entitled to the privileges 
     of the Senate Floor under the Rule XXIII of the Standing 
     Rules of the Senate.

[[Page S6060]]

  

       10.0  Use of Display Materials in the Senate Chamber--
     Graphic displays in the Senate Chamber are limited to charts, 
     photographs, or renderings:
       l0.1  Size--No larger than 36 inches by 48 inches.
       10.2  Where--On an easel stand next to the Senator's desk 
     or at the rear of the Chamber.
       10.3  When--Only at the time the Senator is engaged in 
     debate.
       10.4  Number--No more than two may be displayed at a time.
       11.0  Solicitation and Commercial Activities Prohibited--No 
     persons shall carry out any of the following activities in 
     the Senate Chamber and Galleries: offer or expose any article 
     for sale; display a sign, placard, or other form of 
     advertisement; or solicit fares, alms, subscriptions, or 
     contributions.
       12.0  Legislative Buzzers and Signal Lights--The system of 
     legislative buzzers and signal lights, which correspond with 
     rings if available, shall be as follows:
       12.1  Pre-session signals:
       12.1.1  One long ring at hour of convening.
       12.1.2  One red light to remain lighted at all times while 
     Senate is in actual session.
       12.2  Session signals:
       12.2.1  One ring--Yeas and nays.
       12.2.2  Two rings--quorum call.
       12.2.3  Three rings--Call of absentees.
       12.2.4  Four rings--Adjournment or recess. (End of daily 
     session.)
       12.2.5  Five rings--Seven and a half minutes remaining on 
     yea and nay vote.
       12.2.6  Morning business concluded--Six rings. Lights cut 
     off immediately.
       12.2.7  Recess during daily session--Six rings. Lights stay 
     on during period of recess.
       13.0  Taking of Pictures Prohibited; Use of Mechanical 
     Equipment in Chamber--
       13.1  The taking of pictures of any kind is prohibited in 
     the Senate Chamber, the Marble Room, the Senate Lobby, and 
     the Senate Cloakrooms; however,
       13.2  The Sergeant at Arms shall be authorized to admit 
     into the spaces defined in 13.1 such mechanical equipment 
     and/or devices which, in the judgment of the Sergeant at 
     Arms, are necessary and proper in the conduct of official 
     Senate business and which by their presence shall not in any 
     way distract, interrupt, or inconvenience the business or 
     Members of the Senate.
       14.0  Galleries--The Sergeant at Arms shall keep the aisles 
     of the galleries clear, and shall not allow admittance into 
     the galleries of more than their seating capacity. The 
     Sergeant at Arms shall not permit any person to enter a 
     gallery with or carrying any firearms or dangerous weapons 
     except for law enforcement and other personnel performing 
     duties under the direction of the Senate, or any package, 
     bundle, suitcase, briefcase, or camera; the Sergeant at Arms 
     shall not permit any person in any gallery to smoke, applaud, 
     or commit any other type of demonstration either by sound or 
     sign; except in the press, radio, television, and 
     correspondents' galleries the Sergeant at Arms shall not 
     permit any person to read (except the Senate seating diagram) 
     or to write or take notes (except credentialed employees of 
     the Senate when taking notes in the course of their 
     employment); the Sergeant at Arms shall not permit any person 
     to take any picture or photograph or to sketch or draw; the 
     Sergeant at Arms shall not permit any person to place any 
     object whatsoever--including hats, coats, or other personal 
     apparel--or portion of a person on any railing, or any person 
     to wear a hat, except that where a person's religious beliefs 
     require that person wear a head-cover in such public places 
     as the Senate Gallery, then such head-cover shall be 
     permitted; and the Sergeant at Arms shall not allow any 
     person to lean forward over the railings or to place hands 
     thereon.
       14.1  The galleries of the Senate shall be set apart and 
     occupied as follows:
       14.1.1  Gallery 1--the gallery above the northeastern 
     corner of the Senate Chamber, commonly referred to as the 
     Staff Gallery, is reserved for the use of credentialed 
     employees of the Senate.
       14.1.2  Gallery 2--the gallery above the eastern entrance 
     to the Senate Chamber, commonly referred to as the Family 
     Gallery, is reserved for the exclusive use of the families of 
     Senators, former Presidents of the United States, and 
     incumbent Secretary and Sergeant at Arms of the Senate.
       14.1.2.1  The first two rows of the gallery are reserved 
     for the spouses and other members of the immediate families 
     of Senators.
       14.1.2.2  The remainder of the gallery is reserved for the 
     families of Senators and guests visiting their families who 
     shall be designated by some member of the Senator's family, 
     and for the families of former Presidents of the United 
     States, as well as families of incumbent Secretary and 
     Sergeant at Arms of the Senate.
       14.1.3  Gallery 3--the gallery over the southeastern corner 
     of the Senate Chamber, commonly referred to as a Public 
     Gallery, is reserved for the use of persons holding a card 
     issued by a Senator.
       14.1.3.1  The period to which such card of admission shall 
     be limited rests entirely in the discretion of the Senator 
     issuing it, except that such cards shall expire at the end of 
     each session and cards of a different color shall be 
     furnished by the Sergeant at Arms for the following session.
       14.1.3.2  The Sergeant at Arms shall in the Sergeant at 
     Arms' discretion limit occupancy of the public galleries to 
     such periods as may be required to accommodate with 
     reasonable expediency all card bearers who are seeking 
     admission.
       14.1.4  Gallery 4--the gallery between Gallery 3 and 
     Gallery 5 on the south side of the Senate Chamber, commonly 
     referred to as the Representatives' Gallery, is reserved for 
     the use of Members of Congress of the House of 
     Representatives and their guests.
       14.1.5  Gallery 5--the gallery over the southern main 
     entrance to the Senate Chamber, commonly referred to as the 
     Presidential and Diplomatic Gallery, is reserved for the use 
     of the Diplomatic Corps, and no person shall be admitted to 
     it excepting the Secretary of State, foreign ministers, their 
     families and Senators.
       14.1.5.1  The first row on the eastern side of this gallery 
     shall be set apart for the use of the President of the United 
     States.
       14.1.5.2  The second row on the eastern side of this 
     gallery shall be set apart for the use of the Vice President 
     of the United States.
       14.1.5.3  The third row on the eastern side of this gallery 
     shall be set apart for the use of the President pro tempore 
     of the Senate.
       14.1.6  Gallery 6--the gallery between Gallery 5 and 
     Gallery 7 on the south side of the Senate Chamber, commonly 
     referred to as a Public Gallery, is reserved for the use of 
     large guided tours and other special parties.
       14.l.7   Gallery 7--the gallery over the southwest corner 
     of the Senate Chamber, commonly referred to as the Accessible 
     Gallery, is reserved for the use of any guest, especially 
     those who wish to avoid stairs, and those who would like to 
     view closed captioning television, or use an assisted 
     listening device.
       14.1.8  Gallery 8--the gallery over the west entrance to 
     the Senate Chamber, commonly referred to as a Public Gallery, 
     is reserved for the use of persons holding a card issued by a 
     Senator.
       14.1.8.1  The period to which such card of admission shall 
     be limited rests entirely in the discretion of the Senator 
     issuing it, except that such cards shall expire at the end of 
     each session and cards of a different color shall be 
     furnished by the Sergeant at Arms for the following session.
       14.1.8.2  The Sergeant at Arms shall in the Sergeant at 
     Arms' discretion limit occupancy of the public galleries to 
     such periods as may be required to accommodate with 
     reasonable expediency all card bearers who are seeking 
     admission.
       14.1.9  Gallery 9--the gallery over the northwest corner of 
     the Senate Chamber, commonly referred to as a Public Gallery, 
     is reserved for the use of persons holding a card issued by a 
     Senator.
       14.1.9.1  The period to which such card of admission shall 
     be limited rests entirely in the discretion of the Senator 
     issuing it, except that such cards shall expire at the end of 
     each session and cards of a different color shall be 
     furnished by the Sergeant at Arms for the following session.
       14.l.9.2  The Sergeant at Arms shall in the Sergeant at 
     Arms' discretion limit occupancy of the public galleries to 
     such periods as may be required to accommodate with 
     reasonable expediency all card bearers who are seeking 
     admission.
       14.1.10  Gallery 10--the gallery above the Senate Floor 
     dais on the north side of the Senate Chamber including the 
     front row of Gallery 1 and the front row of Gallery 9, 
     commonly referred to as the Media Gallery, is reserved for 
     the exclusive use of the Press Gallery, Radio and Television 
     Correspondents Gallery, Periodical Press Gallery, and Press 
     Photographers' Gallery.
       15.0  Use of the Media Gallery--Gallery 10, the Media 
     Gallery shall be further set apart and occupied as follows:
       15.1  Press Gallery--The gallery in the rear of the Vice 
     President's chair shall be set apart for reporters of daily 
     newspapers.
       15.1.l  The administration of the Press Gallery shall be 
     vested in a Standing Committee of Correspondents elected by 
     accredited members of the gallery. The committee shall 
     consist of five persons elected to serve for terms of two 
     years: Provided, however, that at the election in January 
     1951, the three candidates receiving the highest number of 
     votes shall serve for two years and the remaining two for one 
     year. Thereafter, three members shall be elected in odd-
     numbered years and two in even-numbered years. Elections 
     shall be held in January. The committee shall elect its own 
     chair and secretary. Vacancies on the committee shall be 
     filled by special election to be called by the Standing 
     Committee.
       15.1.2   Persons desiring admission to the Press Gallery in 
     the Senate wing shall make application in accordance with 
     Rule XXXIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, which rule 
     shall be interpreted and administered by the Standing 
     Committee of Correspondents, subject to the review and 
     approval by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.
       15.1.3  The Standing Committee of Correspondents shall 
     limit membership in the Press Gallery to bona fide 
     correspondents of repute in their profession, under such 
     rules as the Standing Committee of Correspondents shall 
     prescribe: Provided, however, that the Standing Committee of 
     Correspondents shall admit to the Press Gallery no person who 
     does not establish to the satisfaction of the Standing 
     Committee all of the following:
       15.1.3.1  That the person's principal income is obtained 
     from news correspondence intended for publication in 
     newspapers entitled to second-class mailing privileges.
       15.1.3.2  That the person is not engaged in paid publicity 
     or promotion work or in prosecuting any claim before Congress 
     or before any department of the Government, and will not 
     become so engaged while a member of the Press Gallery.

[[Page S6061]]

  

       15.1.3.3  That the person is not engaged in any lobbying 
     activity and will not become so engaged while a member of the 
     Press Gallery.
       15.1.4  Members of the families of correspondents are not 
     entitled to the privileges of the Press Gallery.
       15.1.5  The Standing Committee of Correspondents shall 
     propose no change or changes in these rules except upon 
     petition in writing signed by not less than 100 accredited 
     members of the Press Gallery.
       15.2  Radio and Television Correspondents Gallery--The 
     front row of Gallery 1 shall be set apart for the use of the 
     radio-television correspondents.
       15.2.1  Persons desiring admission to the Radio and 
     Television Correspondents Gallery of the Senate shall make 
     application to the Committee on Rules and Administration of 
     the Senate, as required by Rule XXIII of the Standing Rules 
     of the Senate; and shall also state, in writing, the names of 
     all radio stations, television stations, systems, or 
     newsgathering organizations by which they are employed; and 
     what other occupation or employment they may have, if any; 
     and shall further declare that they are not engaged in the 
     prosecution of claims or promotion of legislation pending 
     before Congress, the departments, or the independent 
     agencies, and that they will not become so employed without 
     resigning from the gallery. They shall further declare that 
     they are not employed in any legislative or executive 
     department or independent agency of the Government, or by any 
     foreign government or representative thereof; that they are 
     not engaged in any lobbying activities; that they do not and 
     will not, directly or indirectly, furnish special information 
     to any organization, individual, or group of individuals, for 
     the influencing of prices on any commodity or stock exchange; 
     that they will not do so during the time they retain 
     membership in the gallery. Holders of visitors' cards who may 
     be allowed temporary admission to the gallery must conform to 
     all the restrictions of this paragraph.
       15.2.2  It shall be prerequisite to membership that the 
     radio station, television station, system, or newsgathering 
     agencies which the applicants represent shall certify, in 
     writing, to the Radio and Television Correspondents Gallery 
     that the applicants conform to the foregoing regulations.
       15.2.3  The applications required by the above rule shall 
     be authenticated in a manner that shall be satisfactory to 
     the Executive Committee of the Radio and Television 
     Correspondents Gallery, which shall see that the occupation 
     of the gallery is confined to bona fide news gatherers and/ 
     or reporters of reputable standing in their business who 
     represent radio stations, television stations, systems, or 
     newsgathering agencies engaged primarily in serving radio 
     stations, television stations, or systems. It shall be the 
     duty of the Executive Committee of the Radio and Television 
     Correspondents Gallery to report, at its discretion, 
     violation of privileges of the gallery to the Senate 
     Committee on Rules and Administration, and, pending action 
     thereon, the offending individual may be suspended.
       15.2.4  Persons engaged in other occupations, whose chief 
     attention is not given to--or more than one-half of their 
     earned income is not derived from--the gathering or reporting 
     of news for radio stations, television stations, systems, or 
     newsgathering agencies primarily serving radio stations, 
     television stations, or systems, shall not be entitled to 
     admission to the Radio and Television Correspondents Gallery. 
     The Radio and Television Correspondents list in the 
     Congressional Directory shall be a list only of persons whose 
     chief attention is given to the gathering and reporting of 
     news for radio stations, television stations, and systems 
     engaged in the daily dissemination of news, and of 
     representatives of newsgathering agencies engaged in the 
     daily service of news to such radio stations, television 
     stations, or systems.
       15.2.5  Members of the families of correspondents are not 
     entitled to the privileges of the gallery.
       15.2.6  The Radio and Television Correspondents Gallery 
     shall be under the control of the Executive Committee of the 
     Radio and Television Correspondents Gallery, subject to the 
     approval and supervision of the Senate Committee on Rules and 
     Administration.
       15.3  Periodical Press Gallery--The front row of Gallery 9 
     shall be set aside for the use of the periodical press.
       15.3.1  Persons eligible for admission to the Periodical 
     Press Gallery of the Senate must be bona fide resident 
     correspondents of reputable standing, giving their chief 
     attention to the gathering and reporting of news. They shall 
     state in writing the names of their employers and their 
     additional sources of earned income; and they shall declare 
     that, while a member of the Gallery, they will not act as an 
     agent in the prosecution of claims, and will not become 
     engaged or assist, directly or indirectly, in any lobbying, 
     promotion, advertising, or publicity activity intended to 
     influence legislation or any other action of the Congress, 
     nor any matter before any independent agency, or any 
     department or other instrumentality of the Executive Branch; 
     and that they will not act as an agent for, or be employed by 
     the federal, or any state, local or foreign government or 
     representatives thereof; and that they will not, directly or 
     indirectly, furnish special or ``insider'' information 
     intended to influence prices or for the purpose of trading on 
     any commodity or stock exchange; and that they will not 
     become employed, directly or indirectly, by any stock 
     exchange, board of trade or other organization or member 
     thereof, or brokerage house or broker engaged in the buying 
     and selling of any security or commodity. Applications shall 
     be submitted to the Executive Committee of the Periodical 
     Correspondents' Association and shall be authenticated in a 
     manner satisfactory to the Executive Committee.
       15.3.2  Applicants must be employed by periodicals that 
     regularly publish a substantial volume of news material of 
     either general, economic, industrial, technical, cultural or 
     trade character. The periodical must require such Washington 
     coverage on a continuing basis and must be owned and operated 
     independently of any government, industry, institution, 
     association, or lobbying organization. Applicants must also 
     be employed by a periodical that is published for profit and 
     is supported chiefly by advertising or by subscription, or by 
     a periodical meeting the conditions in this paragraph but 
     published by a non-profit organization that, first, operates 
     independently of any government, industry, or institution 
     and, second, does not engage, directly or indirectly, in any 
     lobbying or other activity intended to influence any matter 
     before Congress or before any independent agency or any 
     department or other instrumentality of the Executive Branch. 
     House organs are not eligible.
       15.3.3  Members of the families of correspondents are not 
     entitled to the privileges of the gallery.
       15.3.4  The Executive Committee may issue temporary 
     credentials permitting the privileges of the Gallery to 
     individuals who meet the rules of eligibility but who may be 
     on short-term assignment or temporarily resident in 
     Washington.
       15.3.5  Under the authority of Rule XXIII of the Standing 
     Rules of the Senate, the Periodical Press Gallery of the 
     Senate shall be under the control of the Executive Committee, 
     subject to the approval and supervision of the Senate 
     Committee on Rules and Administration. It shall be the duty 
     of the Executive Committee, at its discretion, to report 
     violations of the privileges of the Gallery to the Senate 
     Committee on Rules and Administration, and pending action 
     thereon, the offending correspondent may be suspended. The 
     Committee shall be elected at the start of each Congress by 
     members of the Periodical Correspondents' Association, and 
     shall consist of seven members with no more than one member 
     from any one publishing organization. The Committee shall 
     elect its own officers, and a majority of the Committee may 
     fill vacancies on the Committee. The list in the 
     Congressional Directory shall be a list only of members of 
     the Periodical Correspondents' Association.
       15.4  Press Photographer's Gallery--
       15.4.l  Administration of the Press Photographers' Gallery 
     is vested in a Standing Committee of Press Photographers 
     consisting of six persons elected by accredited members of 
     the gallery. The Committee shall be composed of one member 
     each from Associated Press Photos, Reuters News Pictures or 
     AFP Photos, magazine media, local newspapers, agency or 
     freelance member, and one at-large member. The at-large 
     member may be, but need not be, selected from a media 
     otherwise represented on the Committee, however no 
     organization may have more than one representative on the 
     Committee.
       15.4.2  The term of office of a member of the Committee 
     elected as the Associated Press Photos member, the local 
     newspaper member, and the Reuters News Pictures or AFP Photos 
     member shall expire on the day of the election held in the 
     first odd-numbered year following the year in which the 
     person was elected, and the term of office of a member of the 
     Committee elected as the magazine media member, the agency or 
     freelance member and the at-large member shall expire on the 
     day of the election held in the first even-numbered year 
     following the year in which the person was elected. A member 
     elected to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration 
     of a term shall serve only for the unexpired portion of such 
     term.
       15.4.2.1  Election for the Reuters News Picture or AFP 
     photos seat was held in 1999.
       15.4.2.2  Election for the agency or freelance seat was 
     held in 2000.
       15.4.3  Elections shall be held as early as practicable in 
     each year and in no case later than March 31. A vacancy in 
     the membership of the Committee occurring prior to the 
     expiration of a term shall be filled by special election 
     called for that purpose by the Committee.
       15.4.4  The Standing Committee of the Press Photographers' 
     Gallery shall propose no change or changes in these rules 
     except upon petition in writing signed by not less than 25 
     accredited members of the gallery.
       15.4.5  Persons desiring admission to the Press 
     Photographers' Gallery of the Senate shall make application 
     in accordance Rule XXIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, 
     which rule shall be interpreted and administered by the 
     Standing Committee of Press Photographers subject to the 
     review and approval of the Senate Committee on Rules and 
     Administration.
       15.4.6  The Standing Committee of Press Photographers shall 
     limit membership in the photographers' gallery to bona fide 
     news photographers of repute in their profession and to heads 
     of Photographic Bureaus under such rules as the Standing 
     Committee of Press Photographers shall prescribe.
       15.4.7  Provided, however, That the Standing Committee of 
     Press Photographers shall

[[Page S6062]]

     admit to the gallery no person who does not establish to the 
     satisfaction of the Committee all of the following:
       15.4.7.l  That any member is not engaged in paid publicity 
     or promotion work or in prosecuting any claim before Congress 
     or before any department of the Government, and will not 
     become so engaged while a member of the gallery.
       15.4.7.2  That the person is not engaged in any lobbying 
     activity and will not become so engaged while a member of the 
     gallery.

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