[House Practice: A Guide to the Rules, Precedents and Procedures of the House]
[Chapter 1. Adjournment]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
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CHAPTER 1 - ADJOURNMENT
HOUSE PRACTICE
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
U.S. Const. art. I, Sec. 5
5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5359-5388
8 Cannon Sec. Sec. 2641-2648
Manual Sec. Sec. 82-84, 911-913
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A. Generally; Adjournments of Three Days or Less
Sec. 1 . In General
Types of Adjournments
Adjournment procedures in the House are governed by the House
rules and by the Constitution. There are: (1) adjournments of three
days or less, which are taken pursuant to motion; (2) adjournments of
more than 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. Sec. Sec. 10, 13, infra.
Adjournment Versus Recess
Adjournment is to be distinguished from recess. The House may
authorize a recess under a motion provided in rule XVI clause 4. The
Speaker also may declare a recess when no other business is pending
(rule I clause 12(a)) or when notified of an imminent threat to the
safety of the House (rule I clause 12(b)). Having postponed
proceedings on a pending question, the Speaker may declare a recess
for a short time under rule I clause 12(a) (there being no question
then pending before the House). Manual Sec. 638. During a period of
recess, the House remains open for certain business. The mace remains
in place on its pedestal, reports may be filed, and bills may be
placed in the hopper. See Recess.
Emergency Convening Authority
During any recess or adjournment of not more than three days, if
the Speaker is notified by the Sergeant-at-Arms of an imminent
impairment of the place of reconvening, then he may, in consultation
with the Minority Leader, postpone the time for reconvening within the
three-day limit prescribed by the Constitution. In the alternative,
the Speaker, under the same conditions, may reconvene the House before
the time previously appointed solely to declare the House in recess
within that three-day limit. Rule I clause 12(c); Sec. 10, infra.
Under rule I clause 12(d), the Speaker may convene the House in a
place within the District of Columbia, other than the Hall of the
House, whenever, in his opinion, the public interest shall warrant it.
In the 108th Congress, the two Houses granted blanket joint leadership
authority to assemble the 108th Congress at a place outside the
District of Columbia whenever the public interest shall warrant it.
108-1, H. Con. Res. 1, Jan. 7, 2003, p ____; see Adjournment.
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The President may convene Congress at places outside the seat of
government during hazardous circumstances. 2 USC Sec. 27; Deschler Ch
1 Sec. 4.
Sec. 2 . Adjournment Motions and Requests; Forms
Motions
The motion to adjourn authorized by rule XVI clause 4(a) is in
order in simple form only, 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.
Speaker: The Clerk will report the motion.
Clerk: Mr. ____ moves that the House do now adjourn.
5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5371, 5372.
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. 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 nondebatable and unamendable motion provided by rule
XVI clause 4(c) that, when the House adjourns, it stand adjourned to a
day and time certain. Manual Sec. 911. This motion is used when the
House wishes to make some change in the day or hour of its next
regularly scheduled meeting, which is set at the beginning of each
session of Congress by standing order. 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.
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 ____. on ____, ____ (any time
on a day within three calendar days not including Sundays).
Adjournments of more than three days, see Sec. Sec. 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
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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
Sec. Sec. 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. Manual Sec. 913. 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 and is in
order whenever the floor can be secured. See Manual Sec. 912; 5 Hinds
Sec. Sec. 5359, 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. 911. 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. Sec. 911,
912. 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. However, 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.
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. Manual
Sec. 913.
Only one motion pending a motion to suspend the rules. Rule XV
clause 1(b).
Only one motion pending a privileged report from the Committee
on Rules. Rule XIII clause 6(b).
The motion to adjourn permitted by rule XVI clause 4 applies when
a question is ``under debate,'' and is in order when other business is
before
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the House as well. Manual Sec. Sec. 911, 912. 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. Manual Sec. 621.
A motion for a call of the House. 8 Cannon Sec. 2642.
A resolution offered as a question of the privileges of the
House. Manual Sec. 699.
The consideration of an impeachment proceeding. 91-2, Apr. 15,
1970, p 11940.
A motion to reconsider. 5 Hinds Sec. 5605.
A motion to instruct conferees. Manual Sec. 912.
The filing of a privileged report from a committee. Manual
Sec. 912.
The consideration of conference reports. 5 Hinds
Sec. Sec. 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 not be
entertained:
When another Member holds the floor in debate. Manual
Sec. 912; 5 Hinds Sec. 5360.
During time yielded for a parliamentary inquiry. 88-2, June 3,
1964, p 12522.
When the House is voting, 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 Sec. Sec. 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.
In certain situations, the motion cannot be repeated after one
such motion has been defeated. 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 defeated. Rule XIII clause
6(b); 8 Cannon Sec. 2260.
Pending consideration of a motion to suspend the rules, after
one such motion has been defeated. Rule XV clause 1(b).
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 the Committee of the Whole. 4
Hinds Sec. 4716. It also
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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. However, 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 may be made by any Member (91-1, Oct. 14,
1969, pp 30054-56), including a minority member (98-2, May 23, 1984, p
13960.) The Chair even may declare the House adjourned by unanimous
consent when no Member is available. See, e.g., 106-2, Feb. 3, 2000, p
____. 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 Sec. Sec. 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(b). Manual Sec. 911; 5 Hinds Sec. 5359. Clause 4(c) precludes
debate on the motion to fix the day to which the House shall adjourn.
Manual Sec. 911; 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5379, 5380. For a discussion of
debate on resolutions providing for an adjournment, see Sec. 10,
infra. The stricture against debate on a motion to adjourn includes a
prefatory statement leading up to the motion. Such statement, if made,
is not carried in the Congressional Record. 107-2, Feb. 13, 2002, p
____.
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. 912. The motion also may
not 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 the daily hour of meeting for each
day of the week. Manual Sec. 912. Similarly, the separate motion under
rule XVI clause 4(c) that when the House adjourns it stand adjourned
to a day and time certain also is not is subject to amendment. An
older precedent (5 Hinds Sec. 5754) indicating otherwise predates the
1973 change in rule XVI clause 4(c), which enabled the motion at the
Speaker's discretion. See, Manual Sec. 911.
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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 or a
vote by the yeas and nays. 99-1, Dec. 20, 1985, p 38733; 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 Sec. Sec. 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. Manual Sec. 913.
The simple motion to adjourn may be agreed to notwithstanding the
absence of a quorum. See Manual Sec. Sec. 52, 1025. Indeed, no motion
is in order in the absence of a quorum except to adjourn or for a call
of the House. 4 Hinds Sec. Sec. 2950, 2951, 2988; 6 Cannon
Sec. Sec. 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.
The motion to adjourn takes precedence over a motion for a call of
the House. Sec. 3, supra. In one instance, following a point of order
that a quorum was not present, and before the Chair so ascertained, a
Member moved a call of the House while another Member immediately
moved to adjourn. The Chair recognized for the more privileged motion.
88-1, June 12, 1963, p 10739.
It is not in order to demand an ``automatic'' roll call under rule
XX clause 6 on an affirmative vote on a simple motion to adjourn
because that motion may be agreed to by less than a quorum. Manual
Sec. 1025. However, 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 Sec. Sec. 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 ``automatic'' roll call on the
motion then occurs under rule XX clause 6. 100-1, Nov. 2, 1987, pp
30386-90.
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 6 of rule XX) I object to the vote on that
ground.
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Speaker: A quorum is not present, and the yeas and nays are
ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device.
Although 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 begun to call the roll. 5 Hinds Sec. 5366; 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
Rule XVI clause 1, which precludes the Speaker from entertaining
dilatory motions, is applicable to motions to adjourn. Manual
Sec. 903. Although of the highest privilege, the motion to adjourn is
not in order when offered for purposes of delay or obstruction. 5
Hinds Sec. Sec. 5721, 5731; 8 Cannon Sec. Sec. 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, debate, a decision of the
Chair on a question of order, or the ordering of the yeas and nays.
Manual Sec. 912; 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5373, 5374, 5376-5378; 8 Cannon
Sec. 2814.
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 Committee on Rules and during the
consideration of motions to suspend the rules. Manual Sec. Sec. 857,
890. 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 Sec. Sec. 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 Sec. Sec. 5744-5746.
B. Adjournments for More Than Three Days
Sec. 10 . In General; Resolutions
House-Senate Action
Under article I, section 5, clause 4 of the Constitution, neither
House can adjourn (or recess) for more than three days without the
consent of the other. The consent of both Houses is required even
though the adjournment is sought by only one of them. Manual Sec. 84.
In calculating the three days, either the day of adjourning or the day
of meeting (excluding Sundays) must
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be taken into the count. Manual Sec. 83; 5 Hinds Sec. 6673. The House
can adjourn by motion from Thursday to Monday, or from Friday to
Tuesday, because Sunday is a dies non. However, it cannot adjourn from
Monday to Friday without the Senate's assent. Consistent with this
requirement, the House has authorized the Speaker to declare the House
in recesses subject to calls of the Chair during discrete periods,
each not more than three days. Manual Sec. 83.
Adjournments for more than three days are provided for by
concurrent resolution. The resolution may provide for the adjournment
of one House or for the adjournment of both Houses. Manual Sec. 84.
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. Manual Sec. 84. 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. Manual
Sec. 84. For a discussion of the authority of the President to
determine the period of adjournment when the two Houses are unable to
agree with respect thereto, see Manual Sec. 171; for 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. Manual Sec. 84;
95-2, June 29, 1978, p 19466.
A concurrent resolution adjourning both Houses for more than three
days, or sine die, normally includes authority for the Speaker and the
Majority Leader of the Senate, acting jointly, to reassemble the
Members when
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ever the public interest shall warrant it. Manual Sec. 84. Recently,
such recall authority has allowed the respective designees of the
Majority Leader and the Speaker to so reassemble. It has also allowed
reassembly at such place as may be designated. E.g., 107-2, Nov. 22,
2002, p ____. In the 108th Congress, the two Houses granted blanket
joint leadership authority to assemble the 108th Congress at a place
outside the District of Columbia whenever the public interest shall
warrant it. 108-1, H. Con. Res. 1, Jan. 7, 2003, p ____. A concurrent
resolution also may provide for the sine die adjournment of one House
following a single House recall. Manual Sec. 84.
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 proper
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 XX or by article I, section 5 of the Constitution.
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.
Manual Sec. 84; 5 Hinds Sec. 6701. The resolution is privileged even
though it provides for an adjournment of the two Houses to different
days certain. 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.
For example, an adjournment resolution including 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
retains its privilege. 101-1, Nov. 21, 1989, p 31156. An adjournment
resolution including a provision establishing an order of business for
the following session of the Congress was not considered privileged.
102-1, Nov. 26, 1991, p 35840.
Amendments of the Senate to adjournment resolutions are called up
in the House as privileged. 97-2, Feb. 10, 1982, p 1471.
A House concurrent resolution providing for an adjournment may
lose its privileged status if the House is not in compliance with
sections 309 and 310(f) of the Congressional Budget Act, which
preclude such resolutions until the House has approved its regular
appropriations bills and completed action on any required
reconciliation legislation. Manual Sec. 1127. However, these
provisions of the Act may be waived by unanimous consent or by res
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olution reported by the Committee on Rules. E.g., 101-1, June 23,
1989, p 13271.
A concurrent resolution granting the two Houses blanket joint
leadership authority to assemble a Congress at a place outside the
District of Columbia whenever the public interest shall warrant it was
offered as privileged. 108-1, H. Con. Res. 1, Jan. 7, 2003, p ____.
Sec. 12 . August Recess
The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 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. Manual Sec. Sec. 1105, 1106. 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. 1106.
The House and Senate may adopt a concurrent resolution adjourning
in August in an odd-numbered year as specified by the Act. Such a
resolution is called up as privileged, requires a yea and nay vote for
adoption, and is not debatable. Manual Sec. 1106. 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) or
by resolution reported by the Committee on Rules (105-1, July 31,
1997, p ____).
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 96-1, Jan. 3, 1980, p 37774; 104-1,
Jan. 3, 1996, p 38609. 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 up
from the floor as privileged. 5 Hinds Sec. 6698.
The resolution is not debatable. 8 Cannon Sec. Sec. 3371-3374.
However, a Member may be recognized during its consideration under a
reservation of
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objection to a unanimous-consent request. Manual Sec. 84. It requires
a quorum for adoption. 92-2, Oct. 18, 1972, p 37061.
A sine die resolution may specify the particular legislative or
calendar day of adjournment or may specify two or more optional dates.
Sine die adjournment in the latter case is effected by a motion of the
Majority Leader or his designee. Manual Sec. 84. 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 Constitution, a regular session of a Congress
automatically begins at noon on January 3 of every year unless
Congress sets a different date by law. Manual Sec. 242; 96-2, Jan. 3,
1980, p 3.
Under rule X clause 1(m), the Committee on Rules has jurisdiction
of matters relative to final adjournment of Congress. Manual Sec. 733.
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. However, a sine die resolution may be recalled prior
to action thereon by the other House. 5 Hinds Sec. 6699. Also, it is
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
normally contain House-Senate leadership recall authority. For a
discussion of 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. This committee is usually composed of the Majority and
Minority Leaders of the House, and joins a similar committee appointed
by the Senate. 106-1, Nov. 18, 1999, p ____.
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 Sec. Sec. 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. Manual Sec. 55; 5 Hinds Sec. 6721.
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The time for adjournment specified in the resolution having
arrived, the motion to adjourn is made by the Majority Leader or his
designee:
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, 1961, p 21528.