[House Practice: A Guide to the Rules, Precedents and Procedures of the House]
[Adjournment]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]



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                                ADJOURNMENT

              A. Generally; Adjournments of Three Days or Less

  Sec.  1. In General
  Sec.  2. Adjournment Motions and Requests; Forms
  Sec.  3. When in Order; Precedence and Privilege of Motion
  Sec.  4. In Committee of the Whole
  Sec.  5. Who May Offer Motion; Recognition
  Sec.  6. Debate on Motion; Amendments
  Sec.  7. Voting
  Sec.  8. Quorum Requirements
  Sec.  9. Dilatory Motions; Repetition of Motion

              B. Adjournments for More Than Three Days

  Sec. 10. In General; Resolutions
  Sec. 11. Privilege of Resolution
  Sec. 12. August Recess

              C. Adjournment Sine Die

  Sec. 13. In General; Resolutions
  Sec. 14. Procedure at Adjournment; Motions
        Research References
          5 Hinds Secs. 5359-5388
          8 Cannon Secs. 2641-2648
          Manual Secs. 82-84, 782-784
          U.S. Const. art. I Sec. 5

             A. Generally; Adjournments of Three Days or Less


  Sec. 1 . In General

      Adjournment procedures in the House are governed by the House 
  rules and by the U.S. Constitution. There are: (1) adjournments of 
  three days or less, which are taken pursuant to motion; (2) 
  adjournments of more than

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  three days, which require the consent of the Senate (Sec. 10, infra); 
  and (3) adjournments sine die, which end each session of a Congress 
  and which require the consent of both Houses. Adjournments of more 
  than three days or sine die are taken pursuant to concurrent 
  resolutions. Secs. 10, 13, infra.
      Adjournment is to be distinguished from recess; a recess is taken 
  pursuant to authority granted by the House (Rule XVI clause 4) or, 
  when no other business is pending, at the discretion of the Speaker 
  (Rule I clause 12). During a period of recess, the House remains open 
  for certain business: the mace remains in place on its pedestal and 
  bills and reports may still be placed in the hopper. See Recess.


  Sec. 2 . Adjournment Motions and Requests; Forms

                                  Motions

      The motion to adjourn is authorized by Rule XVI clause 4 and is in 
  order in simple form only (5 Hinds Secs. 5371, 5372), as follows:

      Member: Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

      Note: The motion must be in writing if demanded.

      Member: Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged motion.
      The Speaker: The Clerk will report the motion.
      The Clerk: Mr. ____ moves that the House do now adjourn.

      The proponent of the motion may not include argument in favor of 
  the adjournment or impose conditions under which it is to be taken. 5 
  Hinds Sec. 5371; 8 Cannon Sec. 2647. And the motion may not be amended 
  to set forth the day on which the House is to reconvene. Sec. 6, 
  infra. However the simple motion to adjourn may be preceded at the 
  Speaker's discretion by a motion that when the House adjourns, it 
  stand adjourned to a day and time certain. Rule XVI clause 4. Manual 
  Sec. 782. This motion is used when the House wishes to make some 
  change in the day or hour of its next regularly scheduled meeting. 
  (The hour of daily meeting of the House is scheduled in each Congress 
  by standing order, e.g., that it meet at 12 noon on Mondays and 
  Tuesdays, 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, etc.) The House retains the right to 
  vary from this schedule by use of the motion to adjourn to a day or 
  time certain as provided in clause 4 of Rule XVI. See Manual Sec. 621.

      Member: Mr. Speaker, I move that when the House adjourns today it 
    stand adjourned to meet at __________(time) on __________(date).

      The motion cannot be used to circumvent the constitutional 
  restriction against adjournments for more than three days without the 
  consent of the Senate.

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                        Unanimous-Consent Requests

      Adjournments of three days or less may be sought pursuant to a 
  unanimous-consent request:

      Member: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House 
    adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 20, 
    19 ____ (or other day within three calendar days not including 
    Sundays). (Adjournments of more than three days, see Secs. 10-12, 
    infra.)

             Legislative Days and Calendar Days Distinguished

      The duration of a legislative day does not conform to the 24 hours 
  of a calendar day, nor does a legislative day automatically terminate 
  by reason of the arrival of the time for a regularly scheduled meeting 
  of the House. The legislative day continues until terminated by an 
  adjournment, irrespective of the passage of calendar days. 5 Hinds 
  Secs. 6738, 6739. The House has convened and adjourned twice on the 
  same calendar day pursuant to a motion to fix the day to which the 
  House shall adjourn, thereby meeting for two legislative days on the 
  same calendar day. 97-1, Nov. 17, 1981, p 27771; 100-1, Oct. 29, 1987, 
  p 29933. However, a legislative day cannot extend into a new Congress 
  or a new session. 96-1, Jan. 3, 1980, p 37774.


  Sec. 3 . When in Order; Precedence and Privilege of Motion

      The motion to adjourn is a motion of highest privilege (see 5 
  Hinds Sec. 5359; Manual Sec. 783) and is in order whenever the floor 
  can be secured. See 5 Hinds Sec. 5360. Other motions may not intervene 
  between the motion to adjourn and the vote thereon. 5 Hinds Sec. 5361. 
  The motion to adjourn is specifically given precedence over all other 
  secondary motions permitted by Rule XVI clause 4, including the 
  motions to lay on the table, for the previous question, to amend, to 
  refer or to postpone. Manual Sec. 782. The motion to adjourn takes 
  precedence over all other motions because, as Jefferson noted, the 
  House might otherwise be kept sitting against its will and 
  indefinitely. Manual Sec. 439.
      The motion to fix the day and time to which the House shall 
  adjourn is of equal privilege to the simple motion to adjourn but is 
  entertained only at the Speaker's discretion (Manual Sec. 782); the 
  motion to fix the day, if made first, need not give way to the simple 
  motion (5 Hinds Sec. 5381).
      The motion to adjourn may not interrupt a vote being taken in the 
  House. 5 Hinds Sec. 5360. But the motion to adjourn is in order:

     Between the putting of the question on a proposition and the 
         ensuing vote. Manual Sec. 439.
     Between the different methods of voting, as between a vote by 
         division and a vote by yeas and nays. Manual Sec. 439.

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     After a recorded vote is ordered and before the vote begins. 5 
         Hinds Sec. 5366.
     After a vote has been objected to for lack of a quorum. 97-1, 
         Nov. 17, 1981, p 27770.

      The motion to adjourn permitted by Rule XVI clause 4 applies when 
  a question is ``under debate'' (Manual Sec. 782), and is in order when 
  other business is before the House as well. The motion is in order and 
  takes precedence over the motions delineated in Rule XVI clause 4 and:

     The reading of the Journal. 4 Hinds Sec. 2757.
     The Speaker's approval of the Journal. 100-1, Nov. 2, 1987, p 
         30386.
     A motion for a call of the House. 8 Cannon Sec. 2642.
     Questions of privilege. 3 Hinds Sec. 2521.
     Resolutions offered as a question of the privileges of the 
         House. Manual Sec. 661a.
     The consideration of an impeachment proceeding. 91-2, Apr. 15, 
         1970, p 11940.
     A motion to suspend the rules. 8 Cannon Sec. 2823; 102-2, Aug. 
         11, 1992, p ____.
     A motion to reconsider. 5 Hinds Sec. 5605; 96-1, Sept. 20, 
         1979, p 25512.
     A motion to instruct conferees. 96-2, May 29, 1980, p 12717-
         19.
     The filing of a privileged report from a committee. 99-1, Apr. 
         29, 1985, p 9699.
     The consideration of conference reports. 5 Hinds Secs. 6451, 
         6453.
     A report from the Committee of the Whole. 8 Cannon Sec. 2645.
     The consideration of a veto message from the President. 4 
         Hinds Sec. 3523.

                             When Not in Order

      The motion to adjourn does not take precedence and may be ruled 
  out:

     When another Member holds the floor in debate. 5 Hinds 
         Sec. 5360; Manual Sec. 783.
     During time yielded for a parliamentary inquiry. 88-2, June 3, 
         1964, p 12522.
     When the House is voting (5 Hinds Sec. 5360), such as by the 
         yeas and nays or other recorded vote (5 Hinds Sec. 6053).
     Pending a vote pursuant to a special order providing for such 
         vote ``without intervening motion.'' 4 Hinds Secs. 3211, 3212.
     During the presentation of a conference report. 5 Hinds 
         Sec. 6452.
     Pending or during the administration of the oath to a Member. 
         1 Hinds Sec. 622.


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      In certain situations, the motion cannot be repeated after one 
  such motion has been negatived. See Sec. 9, infra. Repetition is not 
  permitted:

     Pending consideration of a report from the Committee on Rules, 
         after one motion to adjourn has been negatived. Rule XI clause 
         4(b). 8 Cannon Sec. 2260.
     Pending consideration of a motion to suspend the rules, after 
         one such motion has been acted on. Rule XVI clause 8.


  Sec. 4 . In Committee of the Whole

      The motion to adjourn is not in order after the House has voted to 
  go into the Committee of the Whole. 4 Hinds Sec. 4728; 5 Hinds 
  Sec. 5367. The motion is not in order in Committee of the Whole (4 
  Hinds Sec. 4716), and is not entertained when the Committee of the 
  Whole rises to report proceedings incident to securing a quorum (8 
  Cannon Sec. 2436) or when it rises ``informally'' to receive a 
  message. But the motion to adjourn is permitted when the House is 
  meeting as in the Committee of the Whole. 4 Hinds Sec. 4923.


  Sec. 5 . Who May Offer Motion; Recognition

      The motion to adjourn is generally offered by the Majority Leader 
  or his designee, but the motion can be made by any Member (91-1, Oct. 
  14, 1969, pp 30054-56) including a minority member. 98-1, Nov. 4, 
  1983, p 30946; 98-2, May 23, 1984, p 13960. A Member may move to 
  adjourn whenever he can secure the floor, but he may not move to 
  adjourn while another Member has been recognized for debate. 5 Hinds 
  Secs. 5369, 5370. The motion is not in order where the Member has been 
  yielded to or recognized for a parliamentary inquiry. 8 Cannon 
  Sec. 2646.


  Sec. 6 . Debate on Motion; Amendments

      Debate on the simple motion to adjourn is precluded by Rule XVI 
  clause 4 (Manual Sec. 782). 5 Hinds Sec. 5359. The same rule precludes 
  debate on the motion to fix the day to which the House shall adjourn. 
  Manual Sec. 782. 5 Hinds Secs. 5379, 5380. Debate on resolutions 
  providing for an adjournment, see Sec. 10, infra.
      The simple motion to adjourn is not subject to amendment. Manual 
  Sec. 585. Thus the motion may not be amended by language alluding to 
  the purpose of the adjournment. Manual Sec. 783. Nor may the motion be 
  amended by language specifying the day (5 Hinds Sec. 5360) or hour (5 
  Hinds Sec. 5364) to which adjournment is to be taken. Such amendments 
  are ruled out whenever the House is operating under its customary 
  standing order that fixes

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  the daily hour of meeting for each day of the week. Manual Sec. 783. 
  However, the rules permit a separate motion at the Speaker's 
  discretion that when the House adjourns it stand adjourned to a day 
  and time certain (Sec. 2, supra), and this motion is subject to 
  amendment. 5 Hinds Sec. 5754.


  Sec. 7 . Voting

      The vote on a motion to adjourn may be taken by any of the voting 
  methods authorized by the House rules, including a division vote (99-
  1, Dec. 20, 1985, p 38733) or a vote by the yeas and nays. 86-2, June 
  3, 1960, p 11828; 88-2, Feb. 8, 1964, pp 2616, 2639. The adoption of a 
  resolution providing for adjournment sine die on a day certain does 
  not preclude a demand for the yeas and nays on the motion to adjourn 
  on that day. 87-1, Sept. 27, 1961, p 21528. A negative vote on a 
  motion to adjourn is not subject to the motion to reconsider. 5 Hinds 
  Secs. 5620, 5622. See also Reconsideration.


  Sec. 8 . Quorum Requirements

      A quorum is required for a motion to fix the time of adjournment 
  to a day and time certain. 91-1, Oct. 14, 1969, pp 30054-56; 94-1, 
  June 19, 1975, pp 19789, 19790; 94-2, June 22, 1976, p 19755.
      The simple motion to adjourn may be agreed to notwithstanding the 
  absence of a quorum. See Manual Secs. 52, 773. Indeed, no motion is in 
  order in the absence of a quorum except to adjourn or for a call of 
  the House. 4 Hinds Secs. 2950, 2951, 2988; 6 Cannon Secs. 680, 682. 
  The motion to adjourn is in order on failure of a quorum even where 
  the House is operating under a special order requiring the 
  consideration of the pending business. 5 Hinds Sec. 5365.
      Since the motion to adjourn takes precedence of a motion for a 
  call of the House (Sec. 3, supra), where a point of order is made that 
  a quorum is not present and a call of the House is then moved, a 
  Member may immediately move to adjourn, and the Chair may recognize 
  for the higher privileged motion. 88-1, June 12, 1963, p 10739.
      It is not in order to demand an ``automatic'' roll call under Rule 
  XV clause 4 on an affirmative vote on a simple motion to adjourn, 
  since that motion may be agreed to by less than a quorum. 98-1, Nov. 
  4, 1983, p 30946. But a vote by the yeas and nays in such a case would 
  be in order, if demanded by one-fifth of those present, no quorum 
  being required. Manual Secs. 75, 76. Where the vote on an adjournment 
  is decided in the negative, and a point of order that a quorum is not 
  present is sustained, an ``auto-

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  matic'' roll call on the motion then occurs under Rule XV clause 4. 
  100-1, Nov. 2, 1987, pp 30386-90. See also Manual Sec. 773.

      Member: I move that the House do now adjourn.
      Speaker: On this vote (by division, or by voice) the noes have it.
      Member: I make a point of order that a quorum is not present and 
    (pursuant to clause 4 of Rule XV) I object to the vote on that 
    ground.
      Speaker: A quorum is not present, and the yeas and nays are 
    ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device.

      While a motion to adjourn is in order pending a point of order 
  that a quorum is not present, it is not entertained after the Clerk 
  has commenced to call the roll. 86-2, June 3, 1960, p 11828. After the 
  call has been completed, the motion to adjourn is again in order, and 
  it is not necessary that the Chair announce that a quorum has failed 
  to respond before entertaining the motion. 91-1, Oct. 14, 1969, pp 
  30054-56.


  Sec. 9 . Dilatory Motions; Repetition of Motion

      The House rule that requires the Speaker to refuse to entertain 
  dilatory motions (Rule XVI clause 10) is applicable to motions to 
  adjourn. Manual Sec. 803. Although of the highest privilege, the 
  motion to adjourn is not in order when offered for purposes of delay 
  or obstruction. 5 Hinds Secs. 5721, 5731; 8 Cannon Secs. 2796, 2813. 
  On one occasion, a point of order was sustained against the motion 
  where a House rule gave the Speaker the discretion to recognize for a 
  motion to adjourn. 8 Cannon Sec. 2822.
      The motion to adjourn, once offered, may ordinarily be repeated, 
  but not until after intervening business (5 Hinds Sec. 5373; 8 Cannon 
  Sec. 2814), debate (5 Hinds Sec. 5374), a decision of the Chair on a 
  question of order (5 Hinds Sec. 5378), or the ordering of the yeas and 
  nays (5 Hinds Secs. 5376, 5377). Manual Sec. 783.
      In some cases the rules specifically provide that only one motion 
  to adjourn is to be permitted; this restriction applies during the 
  consideration of reports from the Rules Committee (Manual Sec. 729a) 
  and during the consideration of motions to suspend the rules (Manual 
  Sec. 801). In such cases the motion to adjourn--once having been 
  rejected--may not again be entertained until the pending matter has 
  been fully disposed of. 5 Hinds Secs. 5740, 5741. However, if a motion 
  to adjourn is made and rejected, and a quorum then fails, a second 
  motion to adjourn is admitted. 5 Hinds Secs. 5744-5746.

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                 B. Adjournments for More Than Three Days


  Sec. 10 . In General; Resolutions

                            House-Senate Action

      Under the Constitution, neither House can adjourn for more than 
  three days without the consent of the other. U.S. Const. art. I 
  Sec. 5. The consent of both Houses is required even though the 
  adjournment is sought by only one of them. See 91-1, Nov. 6, 1969, pp 
  33345 et seq.; 94-2, Sept. 1, 1976, p 28860. In calculating the three 
  days, either the day of adjourning or the day of meeting (excluding 
  Sundays) must be taken into the count. Manual Sec. 83; 5 Hinds 
  Sec. 6673. The House can adjourn by motion from Thursday to Monday 
  (since Sunday is a dies non); but it cannot adjourn from Monday to 
  Friday without the Senate's assent.
      Adjournments for more than three days are provided for by 
  concurrent resolution. 88-2, Aug. 21, 1964, p 20813; 90-2, Apr. 10, 
  1968, p 9621; 101-2, May 24, 1990, p ____. The resolution may provide 
  for the adjournment of one House (100-1, Aug. 7, 1987, p 23072) or for 
  the adjournment of both Houses (100-1, Apr. 9, 1987, p 8567). Senate 
  concurrent resolutions for adjournment are laid before the House by 
  the Speaker as privileged. 101-1, Mar. 16, 1989, p 4480. Such 
  resolutions, whether originating in the House or Senate, are not 
  debatable. Manual Sec. 84. They require a quorum for adoption.
      The concurrent resolution is generally offered by the Majority 
  Leader or his designee:

      Member: Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged concurrent resolution 
    (H. Con. Res. ____) providing for an adjournment of the House from 
    __________ to __________ and a recess or adjournment of the Senate 
    from __________ to __________, and ask for its immediate 
    consideration.

      The resolution may set forth the times at which the adjournment is 
  to begin and end, but frequently the resolution will provide optional 
  dates so as to give each House some discretion in determining the 
  exact period of adjournment. 100-2, July 13, 1988, p 18069; 101-2, May 
  24, 1990, p ____. Sometimes the resolution has provided for a certain 
  period of adjournment of the House and a different period for the 
  Senate. Thus the resolution may provide for an adjournment of the 
  House for more than three days to a day certain, and a recess of the 
  Senate for more than three days to a day certain as subsequently 
  determined by the Senate before recessing. 95-2, Mar. 22, 1978, p 
  7942. As to the authority of the President to determine the period

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  of adjournment when the two Houses are unable to agree with respect 
  thereto, see U.S. Const. art. II Sec. 3. Convening, see Assembly of 
  Congress.

                 Conditional Adjournments; Recall Provisos

      An adjournment resolution may include various conditions or 
  provisos, such as that the Senate shall adjourn pursuant to the 
  resolution after it has disposed of a certain bill. 95-2, June 29, 
  1978, p 19466.
      A concurrent resolution adjourning both Houses for more than three 
  days may include a proviso that the House is subject to recall by the 
  Speaker if legislative expediency so warrants. 91-2, July 20, 1970, p 
  24978. More frequently, recall authority is given to the Speaker and 
  to the Majority Leader of the Senate, acting jointly, to reassemble 
  the Members whenever the public interest warrants. See 101-1, June 23, 
  1989, p 13271; 101-2, Apr. 4, 1990, p ____. The authority may be 
  vested in other members of the leadership in the two bodies.

                            Amendments; Voting

      Adjournment resolutions originating in one House are subject to 
  amendment by the other. 95-2, June 29, 1978, p 19466; 95-2, Aug. 17, 
  1978, p 26794. Such an amendment is not in order after the previous 
  question is ordered (except pursuant to a motion to commit with 
  instructions). 96-2, Oct. 1, 1980, p 28576. Voting on the motion may 
  be by voice, division, or any of the methods of voting established by 
  Rule I clause 5 or by the Constitution (art. I Sec. 5).


  Sec. 11 . Privilege of Resolution

      A concurrent resolution providing for an adjournment of the House 
  or of the Senate (or of both Houses) is called up as privileged. 5 
  Hinds Sec. 6701; 92-1, Oct. 18, 1971, p 36492; 93-1, Oct. 2, 1973, p 
  32371; 93-2, June 27, 1974, p 21632. The resolution is privileged even 
  though it provides for an adjournment of the two Houses to different 
  days certain. 93-1, Feb. 8, 1973, p 3908; 93-2, Apr. 11, 1974, p 
  10775. An adjournment resolution remains privileged despite its 
  inclusion of additional matter so long as such additional matter would 
  be privileged in its own right (e.g., a declaration asserted as a 
  question of the privileges of the House relating to the ability of the 
  House to receive veto messages during the adjournment). 101-1, Nov. 
  21, 1989, p ____. An adjournment resolution also establishing an order 
  of business for the following session of the Congress was not 
  considered privileged. 102-1, Nov. 26, 1991, p ____.
      Amendments to adjournment resolutions are called up as privileged. 
  97-2, Feb. 10, 1982, p 1471.

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      A House concurrent resolution providing for an adjournment may 
  lose its privileged status if the House is not in compliance with 
  those provisions of the Congressional Budget Act [Secs. 309, 310(f)] 
  precluding such resolutions until the House has approved its regular 
  appropriations bills and completed action on any required 
  reconciliation legislation. See 100-1, July 9, 1987, p 19131. However, 
  these provisions of the Act may be waived by unanimous consent. 99-2, 
  June 19, 1986, p 14644; 101-1, June 23, 1989, p 13271.


  Sec. 12 . August Recess

      The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 provides that unless 
  otherwise provided by Congress, the two Houses shall either (a) 
  adjourn sine die by July 31 of each year, or (b) in odd-numbered 
  years, adjourn in August (for a specified period) pursuant to a 
  concurrent resolution adopted by roll call vote in each House. 2 USC 
  Sec. 198. The House has not adjourned sine die by July 31 under this 
  Act for many years, and the provisions in the Act to that effect have 
  been routinely waived by concurrent resolution, thereby permitting the 
  two Houses to continue in session. 98-2, July 26, 1984, p 21339. See 
  also 97-2, July 29, 1982, p 18563. In the absence of such a 
  resolution, a simple motion to adjourn, made at the conclusion of 
  business on July 31, is in order and would permit the House to meet on 
  the following day. Manual Sec. 948.
      The House and Senate may adopt a concurrent resolution adjourning 
  in August in an odd-numbered year as specified by the Act. 92-1, July 
  30, 1971, p 28332. Such a resolution is called up as privileged, 
  requires a yea and nay vote for adoption, and is not debatable. 102-1, 
  July 31, 1991, p ____. Concurrent resolutions waiving the provisions 
  of the Act are not privileged and are called up by unanimous consent. 
  100-1, July 29, 1987, p 21459.


                          C. Adjournment Sine Die


  Sec. 13 . In General; Resolutions

      Adjournments sine die (literally, without day) are used to 
  terminate the sessions of a Congress, and are provided for by 
  concurrent resolution. A session terminates automatically at the end 
  of the constitutional term. See termination of 96-1, Jan. 3, 1980, p 
  37774. Such adjournments are generally taken in October in even-
  numbered years (election years) and usually somewhat later in odd-
  numbered years. Adjournment resolutions may be called

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  up from the floor as privileged. 5 Hinds Sec. 6698; 100-1, Dec. 21, 
  1987, p 37618; 100-2, Oct. 21, 1988, p 33319. A Member, usually the 
  Majority Leader, rises:

      Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged concurrent resolution (H. Con. 
    Res. ____) and ask for its immediate consideration.
      Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
    That the two Houses of Congress shall adjourn on (the legislative 
    day of) Tuesday, Dec. ____, 19 ____, and that when they adjourn on 
    said day, they stand adjourned sine die.

      The resolution is not debatable (8 Cannon Secs. 3371-3374), though 
  a Member may be recognized during its consideration under a 
  reservation of objection to a unanimous-consent request. 101-2, Oct. 
  27, 1990, p ____. It requires a quorum for adoption. 92-2, Oct. 18, 
  1972, p 37061.
      A sine die resolution normally specifies the particular day of 
  adjournment, but may specify two or more optional dates (98-1, Nov. 
  16, 1983, p 33123), or a legislative day if the final day is expected 
  to last beyond midnight. Sine die resolutions may be amended to 
  provide for an adjournment on a date other than that specified. 98-2, 
  Oct. 11, 1984, p 32314. The resolution need not specify the date of 
  convening because, under section 2 of the 20th amendment to the U.S. 
  Constitution (Manual Sec. 242), a regular session of a Congress 
  automatically begins at noon on January 3 of every year unless 
  Congress sets a different date by law. 96-2, Jan. 3, 1980, p 3.
      The Committee on Rules has jurisdiction of matters relative to 
  final adjournment of Congress [clause 1(a)(3) of Rule X]. Manual 
  Sec. 948.
      The time of adjournment sine die having been fixed by concurrent 
  resolution, the House may not finally adjourn before that time. 5 
  Hinds Sec. 6714. But sine die resolutions may be recalled prior to 
  action thereon by the other House (5 Hinds Sec. 6699) and are subject 
  to rescission by a subsequent concurrent resolution (5 Hinds 
  Sec. 6700). A resolution rescinding an order for adjournment sine die 
  is open to amendment and an amendment assigning a new date is germane. 
  5 Hinds Sec. 5920. Waiver of statutory provision as to adjournment 
  sine die on July 31, see Sec. 12, supra.
      Under the current practice, sine die adjournment resolutions 
  usually contain House-Senate leadership recall authority. Recall 
  authority generally, see Sec. 10, supra.
      The House customarily authorizes the Speaker to appoint a 
  committee to notify the President of the completion of business and 
  the intention of the two Houses to adjourn sine die unless the 
  President has some further communication to make. 100-1, Dec. 21, 
  1987, p 37618; 92-2, Oct. 18, 1972, p 37051. This committee is usually 
  composed of the Majority and Mi-

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  nority Leaders of the House, and joins a similar committee appointed 
  by the Senate. 93-2, Dec. 20, 1974, p 41855.


  Sec. 14 . Procedure at Adjournment; Motions

      The House may adjourn at the time specified in the adjournment 
  resolution even though other business, such as a roll call, may be 
  pending. 5 Hinds Secs. 6325, 6719, 6720. Adjournment sine die is in 
  order notwithstanding the absence of a quorum if both Houses have 
  adopted a concurrent resolution providing for sine die adjournment on 
  that day. 5 Hinds Sec. 6721; Manual Sec. 55.
      The time for adjournment specified in the resolution having 
  arrived, the motion to adjourn is made by the Majority Leader or his 
  designee (101-1, Nov. 21, 1989, p ____):

      Mr. Speaker, in accordance with House Concurrent Resolution ____, 
    I move that the House do now adjourn.

      The yeas and nays may be ordered on this motion. The adoption of a 
  concurrent resolution providing for adjournment sine die on a day 
  certain does not preclude a demand for the yeas and nays on the motion 
  to adjourn on that day. 87-1, Sept. 27 [Legislative Day, Sept. 25], 
  1961, p 21528.