[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 1, Chapters 1 - 6]
[Chapter 6. Officers, Officials, and Employees]
[B. Speaker Pro Tempore]
[§ 14. Election of Speaker Pro Tempore]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
[Page 562-573]
CHAPTER 6
Officers, Officials, and Employees
B. SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE
Sec. 14. Election of Speaker Pro Tempore
A House rule(13) provides for the election of a Speaker
pro tempore when The Speaker is absent and has omitted designating a
Speaker pro tempore.
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13. Rule I clause 7, House Rules and Manual Sec. 633 (1973).
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This rule has been rarely invoked. Ordinarily, The Speaker will
invite the election of a Speaker pro tempore before
leaving(14) or the House will elect a Speaker pro tempore
after The Speaker has already designated one.(15)
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14. See Sec. Sec. 14.3-14.5, infra.
15. See Sec. 14. 6, infra.
Parliamentarian's Note: As the illustrations under
Sec. 14.6 indicate, normally the Member designated Speaker pro
tempore by the Speaker is the person the House elects. However,
the House has the inherent power, and has exercised it, to
elect a person other than the Member so designated. See
Sec. 14.7, infra.
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A Speaker pro tempore is elected by formal resolution and the
President and Senate are notified of his election.(16)
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16. See Sec. Sec. 14.1, 14.2, infra, respectively.
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When a previously designated Speaker pro tempore is the Member who
is to be elected Speaker pro tempore, he momentarily designates another
Speaker pro tempore during the election process.(17)
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17. See Sec. Sec. 14.6, 14.7, infra.
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An elected Speaker pro tempore is more than a ``stand-in'' Speaker.
Indicative of this is the requirement that he swear a new oath upon his
entering the office of Speaker pro tempore.(18)
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18. See Sec. 11, supra.
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Moreover, an elected Speaker pro tempore assumes a much greater
scope of authority from The Speaker than a designated Speaker pro
tempore. Being elected, he does not have to have the
[[Page 563]]
unanimous consent of the House, as does the designated Speaker pro
tempore, to carry out many of the more sensitive, but normal, duties
that The Speaker would handle if present.(19) He must,
however, be authorized by the House to perform certain duties even
though he has been elected by the House, and not simply designated by
The Speaker.(20)
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19. See Sec. Sec. 14.8-14.12, infra.
20. See Sec. Sec. 14.13-14.16, infra. See also Sec. 4, supra, wherein
it is indicated that the Speaker also must be authorized to
sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions during the
adjournment of the House.
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Examples of the kinds of duties, powers, and functions assumed by
an elected Speaker pro tempore from The Speaker include: administering
the oath of office to new Members;(1) appointing
conferees;(2) appointing committees to wait on the President
and to inform him that the session's work is completed;(3)
or that a quorum of both Houses is ready to receive his state of the
Union message;(4) signing enrolled bills and joint
resolutions during the adjournment of the House;(5)
declaring recesses during a session;(6) and presiding at a
joint session of the Congress.(7)
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1. See Sec. 14.8, infra.
2. See Sec. Sec. 14.9, 14.10, infra.
3. See Sec. 14.11, infra.
4. See Sec. 14.13, infra.
5. See Sec. 14.14, infra.
6. See Sec. Sec. 14.15, 14.16, infra.
7. See Sec. 14.12, infra. -------------------
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Election by Resolution
Sec. 14.1 A Speaker pro tempore is elected by formal resolution.
On Apr. 15, 1958,(8) Speaker pro tempore John W.
McCormack, of Massachusetts, was elected by formal resolution to the
office of Speaker pro tempore.
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8. 104 Cong. Rec. 6436, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
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The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Chair requests the gentleman from
Oklahoma [Mr. (Carl) Albert] to assume the Chair.
Mr. Albert assumed the chair.
Mr. [Charles M.] Price [of Illinois]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a
resolution which I send to the Clerk's desk.
The Clerk read as follows:
House Resolution 527
Resolved, etc., That Hon. John W. McCormack, a
Representative from the State of Massachusetts, be, and he is
hereby, elected Speaker pro tempore during the absence of The
Speaker.
Resolved. That the President and the Senate be notified by
the Clerk of the election of Hon. John W. McCormack as Speaker
pro tempore during the absence of The Speaker.
The Speaker Pro Tempore [Mr. Albert]: The question is on the
resolution.
[[Page 564]]
The resolution was agreed to and a motion to reconsider was
laid on the table.
Notification of President and Senate
Sec. 14.2 The President and the Senate are notified by the Clerk of the
election of a Speaker pro tempore.
On Apr. 15, 1958,(9) House Resolution 527 was offered to
elect the Speaker pro tempore John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, as
Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker:
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9. 104 Cong. Rec. 6436, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Mr. [Charles M.] Price [of Illinois]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a
resolution. . . .
Resolved, That Hon. John W. McCormack, a Representative
from the State of Massachusetts, be, and he is hereby, elected
Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
Resolved, That the President and the Senate be notified by
the Clerk of the election of the Hon. John W. McCormack as
Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
The resolution was adopted.
Election by Invitation of Speaker
Sec. 14.3 A Speaker who is ill may, under House practice, invite the
election of a Speaker pro tempore to serve during the absence of
the Speaker.
On Apr. 2, 1940,(10) Speaker William B. Bankhead, of
Alabama, having contracted a case of influenza, invited the election of
a Speaker pro tempore.
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10. 86 Cong. Rec. 3846, 76th Cong. 3d Sess.
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The Speaker: The Chair desires to make a brief personal
statement to the House.
I dislike very much to do so, but, unfortunately, a few weeks
ago I contracted a very severe case of influenza which seems to be
holding on to me with great tenacity. My physician has advised me
to take a little rest, and I am sure the Members of the House will
be pleased to accord me this privilege.
Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I
offer a resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read as follows:
House Resolution 451
Resolved, That Hon. Sam Rayburn, a Representative from the
State of Texas, be, and he is hereby, elected Speaker pro
tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
Resolved, That the President and the Senate be notified by
the Clerk of the election of Hon. Sam Rayburn as Speaker pro
tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
The resolution was agreed to, and a motion to reconsider was
laid on the table.
Sec. 14.4 A Speaker who is not ill and who has not designated
[[Page 565]]
a Speaker pro tempore may invite the election of a Speaker pro
tempore.
On Mar. 24, 1944,(11) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas,
invited the election of a Speaker pro tempore.
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11. 90 Cong. Rec. 3114, 78th Cong. 2d Sess.
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The Speaker: The Chair desires to make a statement.
The Chair hopes by next Thursday a concurrent resolution will
be passed recessing the Congress over until the 11th or 12th of
April. It will be impossible for the present occupant of the chair
to be in Washington next week, and therefore he has asked the
gentleman from Georgia [Mr. (Robert C. W.) Ramspeck] to offer a
resolution.
Mr. Ramspeck: Mr. Speaker, I offer the following resolution (H.
Res. 483) and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
Resolved, That Hon. John W. McCormack, a Representative
from the State of Massachusetts, be, and he is hereby, elected
Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
Resolved, That the President and the Senate be notified by
the Clerk of the election of Hon. John W. McCormack as Speaker
pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker. The resolution
was agreed to.
Sec. 14.5 A Speaker pro tempore may be elected for reasons other than
the illness of the Speaker.
On May 21, 1937,(12) Speaker William B. Bankhead, of
Alabama, desiring to deliver a commencement address at the University
of Alabama, invited the election of a Speaker pro tempore during that
period of time when he would be absent.
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12. 81 Cong. Rec. 4898, 75th Cong. 1st Sess.
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The Speaker: The Chair would like to make a brief statement.
I have accepted an invitation to deliver the commencement
address at the University of Alabama, my alma mater, on Monday
next. While I am that far away, very candidly, I will state to you
gentlemen that I should like the privilege of remaining at my home
for just a few days. Under the rules of the House I could appoint a
Speaker pro tempore for three days, but under the circumstances, by
the indulgence of the House, I have requested the gentleman from
Texas, the majority leader [Sam Rayburn], to introduce a resolution
touching on the question.
Mr. Rayburn: Mr. Speaker, I send to the Clerk's desk a
resolution at the request of the Speaker.
The Clerk read as follows:
House Resolution 218
Resolved, That Hon. Lindsay C. Warren, a Representative
from the State of North Carolina, be, and he is hereby, elected
Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
Resolved, That the President and the Senate be notified by
the Clerk of the election of Hon. Lindsay C.
[[Page 566]]
Warren as Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the
Speaker.
The resolution was agreed to, and a motion to reconsider was
laid on the table.
On July 1, 1939,(13) Speaker William B. Bankhead, of
Alabama, invited the election of a Speaker pro tempore while he took a
period of recreation and rest.
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13. 84 Cong. Rec. 8520, 8521, 76th Cong. 1st Sess.
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The Speaker: The Speaker desires the indulgence of the House to
make a personal statement.
It is realized that we have been in continuous session now for
six months and it has been a rather arduous, strenuous session of
the House. Under our system of government, The Speaker of the House
cannot make visits of recreation or take a rest, except by the
indulgence of the membership. I must confess I am a little bit
tired. Next week will not be a tremendously heavy week, so far as
our legislative program is concerned, and I have therefore
requested the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. (Robert L.)
Doughton] to introduce a resolution which will give me a short
leave of absence.
Mr. Doughton: Mr. Speaker, I submit a resolution and ask for
its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution as follows:
House Resolution 240
Resolved, That Hon. Sam Rayburn, a Representative from the
State of Texas, be, and he is hereby, elected Speaker pro
tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
Resolved, That the President and the Senate be notified by
the Clerk of the election of Hon. Sam Rayburn as Speaker pro
tempore during the absence of The Speaker.
The resolution was agreed to.
On Aug. 15, 1941,(14) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas,
invited the election of a Speaker pro tempore when he desired to leave
for a short vacation beyond 10 days.
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14. 87 Cong. Rec. 7194, 7195, 77th Cong. 1st Sess.
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The Speaker: The Chair desires at this time to make a short
statement. As you all know, for something like three years, and
especially the last 19\1/2\ months, the Chair has been very closely
tied to Washington. Although I have enjoyed hugely being here with
you ladies and gentlemen, I do have the very great desire of for a
few days sniffing a different atmosphere.
I am homesick. I want to go home tomorrow. To all of you who go
home--and I hope you do--I trust you will find things fine at home
and that you will come back with a renewed vigor, imbued again with
the sentiment of your constituents. . . .
Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, in
offering the following resolution for the election of a Speaker pro
tempore and asking for its immediate consideration I know I state
the sentiments of all the Members when I say that I hope that you
have a most enjoyable rest in your white house and in future White
Houses.
The Clerk read the resolution (H. Res. 298), as follows:
[[Page 567]]
Resolved, That Hon. Clifton A. Woodrum, a Representative
from the State of Virginia, be, and he is hereby, elected
Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
Resolved, That the President and the Senate be notified by
the Clerk of the election of Hon. Clifton A. Woodrum as Speaker
pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
The resolution was agreed to.
The Speaker: The gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Woodrum] will
present himself at the bar of the House for the purpose of taking
the oath.
Mr. Woodrum of Virginia took the oath of office as Speaker pro
tempore.
On June 9, 1949,(15) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas,
invited the election of a Speaker pro tempore when he desired to be
away for two days and where the signing of enrolled bills would be
necessary.
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15. 95 Cong. Rec. 7509, 81st Cong. 1st Sess.
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The Speaker: It will not be possible for The Speaker to be here
on Monday or Tuesday of next week. For that reason, the Chair
recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. (Albert A.) Gore].
Mr. Gore: Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution (H. Res. 243) and
ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
Resolved, That Hon. John W. McCormack, a Representative
from the State of Massachusetts, be, and he is hereby, elected
Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
Resolved, That the President and the Senate be notified by
the Clerk of the election of Hon. John W. McCormack as Speaker
pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
The Speaker: This action is taken for two reasons: First, The
Speaker will not be here Monday and Tuesday, and the immediate
necessity is that there might be some enrolled bills that must be
signed.
Mr. McCormack appeared at the bar of the House and took the
oath of office.
Member Elected
Sec. 14.6 When the need arises for an elected Speaker pro tempore, the
designated Speaker pro tempore normally, but not always, is the
person elected.
On Mar. 15, 1966,(16) Speaker John W. McCormack, of
Massachusetts, having designated Representative Carl Albert, of
Oklahoma, as Speaker pro tempore, a resolution was introduced to elect
Mr. Albert as Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
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16. 112 Cong. Rec. 5823, 5824, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Mr. [Eugene J.] Keogh [of New York]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a
privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.
[[Page 568]]
The Clerk read the resolution as follows:
H. Res. 779
Resolved, That Hon. Carl Albert, a Representative from the
State of Oklahoma, be, and he is hereby, elected Speaker pro
tempore during the absence of The Speaker.
Resolved, That the President and the Senate be notified by
the Clerk of the election of the Honorable Carl Albert as
Speaker pro tempore during the absence of The Speaker.
Mr. Keogh: Mr. Speaker, I want to mention that this resolution
is being offered at the request of the distinguished Speaker of the
House of Representatives.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: (Mr. [Wilbur D.] Mills [of
Arkansas]):(17) The question is on the resolution.
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17. Parliamentarian's Note: Mr. Mills was designated as Speaker pro
tempore during the election of the Speaker pro tempore Carl
Albert.
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The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Mr. Albert assumed the Chair and the oath of office was
administered to him by Mr. [Emanuel] Celler, a Representative from
the State of New York.(18)
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18. Parliamentarian's Note: Speaker McCormack left for Boston at 4:30
p.m. on Mar. 15, 1966, to address a joint session of the
Massachusetts General Court (the legislature) on Mar. 16 and
participated in St. Patrick's Day festivities on the 17th. Mr.
Albert was elected as Speaker pro tempore so that he could sign
the Tax Adjustment Act of 1966 (H.R. 12752), which the
President wanted to sign later that day.
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Sec. 14.7 On rare occasions a Member other than the one designated
Speaker pro tempore by The Speaker is elected Speaker pro tempore
by the House.
On Aug. 31, 1961,(19) the House was called to order by
Speaker pro tempore Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, who laid before the House
a letter from Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas. The proceedings were as
follows:
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19. 107 Cong. Rec. 17765, 17766, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
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The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Chair lays before the House a
communication [from Speaker Rayburn] which the Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
The Speaker's Rooms,
U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.
I hereby designate the Hon. Carl Albert to act as Speaker
pro tempore today.
Sam Rayburn,
Speaker.
* * * * *
Mr. [Francis E.] Walter [of Pennsylvania]: Mr. Speaker, I send
to the Speaker's table a resolution (H. Res. 445) and ask for its
immediate consideration.
The resolution called for the election of Representative John W.
McCormack, of Massachusetts,
[[Page 569]]
as Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker. The
resolution was agreed to.
Mr. McCormack assumed the Chair and the oath of office was
administered to him.(20)
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20. Parliamentarian's Note: Speaker Rayburn last presided over the
House on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 1961, during a call of Calendar
Wednesday business. Because of illness, he departed for his
home in Bonham, Tex., on the morning of Aug. 31. Speaker
Rayburn died there on Nov. 16, 1961.
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Duties, Powers, Functions
Sec. 14.8 In the absence of the Speaker, an elected Speaker pro tempore
administers the oath of office to new Members, without the
requirement of unanimous consent of the House.
On Jan. 10, 1966,(1) elected Speaker pro tempore Carl
Albert, of Oklahoma, administered the oath of office to new Members
without the requirement of unanimous consent of the
House.(2)
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1. 112 Cong. Rec. 6, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
2. Parliamentarian's Note: The Congressional Record does not
explicitly refer to the administration of the oath of office to
the new Members by the elected Speaker pro tempore, but such in
fact did take place.
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Sec. 14.9 An elected Speaker pro tempore appoints conferees without the
requirement of the unanimous consent of the House.
On Sept. 20, 1961,(3) elected Speaker pro tempore John
W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, appointed conferees for the House
without requesting the unanimous consent of the House to make such
appointments.
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3. 107 Cong. Rec.. 20491, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. [John L.] McMillan [of South Carolina]: Mr. Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent that the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr.
Abernethy] be excused as a conferee on the bill H.R. 5968, and that
another Member be designated as a conferee in his place.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: Is there objection to the request of
the gentleman from South Carolina?
There was no objection.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Chair appoints to the committee of
conference the gentleman from Alabama [Mr. Huddleston] vice the
gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Abernethy].
The Clerk will notify the Senate of the appointment by the
Speaker pro tempore.
Sec. 14.10 An elected Speaker pro tempore appoints successor conferees
without the requirement of unanimous consent of the House.
On Sept. 5, 1961,(4) elected Speaker pro tempore John W.
[[Page 570]]
McCormack, of Massachusetts, appointed a successor conferee to replace
a Member who was resigning as a conferee. He laid before the House the
Member's letter of resignation, saying:
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4. 107 Cong. Rec. 18183, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
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The Chair appoints the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Meader, as
a manager on the part of the House at the conference on S. 1653,
vice the gentleman from New York, Mr. Miller, who has been excused;
and the Clerk will notify the Senate thereof.
Sec. 14.11 An elected Speaker pro tempore appoints a committee to wait
on the President and inform him that the House has completed the
business of the session and is ready to adjourn.
On Sept. 27 (legislative day, Sept. 25), 1961,(5) the
House agreed on a resolution enabling elected Speaker pro tempore John
W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, to appoint a committee to wait on the
President to notify him that the two Houses had completed the business
of the session and were ready to adjourn unless the President had some
other communication to make to the Congress. After the House had agreed
to a resolution for the appointment of the committee, the Speaker pro
tempore declared:
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5. 107 Cong. Rec. 21518, 21528, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
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The Chair appoints the gentleman from Oklahoma [Mr. Albert] and
the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Arends] to wait on the President.
Sec. 14.12 An elected Speaker pro tempore presides at a joint session
of Congress to hear an address by the President.
On June 10, 1952,(6) elected Speaker pro tempore John W.
McCormack, of Massachusetts, presided at the joint session of the
Congress to hear an address by President Harry S. Truman on the crisis
in the steel industry.
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6. 98 Cong. Rec. 6928-30, 82d Cong. 2d Sess.
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The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the
Speaker pro tempore at 12 o'clock and 24 minutes p.m. . . .
The Speaker pro tempore presided.
. . . [T]he Vice President took the chair at the right of the
Speaker pro tempore. . . .
The Speaker Pro Tempore: On the part of the House the Chair
appoints as members of the committee to escort the President of the
United States into the Chamber, the gentleman from Tennessee, Mr.
Priest; the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Doughton; and the
gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. Martin.
The Vice President [Alben W. Barkley, of Kentucky]: On the part
of the Senate, the Chair appoints as members of the committee of
escort the Senator from Arizona, Mr. McFarland; the Senator from
New Hampshire, Mr. Bridges; and the Senator from South Carolina,
Mr. Maybank. . . .
[[Page 571]]
At 12:30 o'clock p.m. the Doorkeeper announced the President of
the United States.
The President of the United States, escorted by the committee
of Senators and Representatives, entered the Hall of the House of
Representatives and stood at the Clerk's desk. [Applause, the
Members rising.]
The Speaker Pro Tempore: Members of the Congress, I have the
distinguished honor of presenting to you the President of the
United States.
The President: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the
Congress, I should like to report to the Congress on certain events
that have happened in connection with the current dispute in the
steel industry since I last communicated with Congress on that
subject. . . .
At 12 o'clock; and 50 minutes p.m., the President, accompanied
by the committee of escort, retired from the Hall of the House of
Representatives. . . .
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Chair declares the joint session
of the two Houses now dissolved.
Thereupon (at 12 o'clock and 52 minutes p.m.) the joint session
of the two Houses was dissolved.
Actions Requiring Authorization
Sec. 14.13 Even though the Speaker pro tempore is elected, he must be
authorized by resolution to appoint a committee to notify the
President that a quorum of each House has assembled and is ready to
receive his state of the Union message.
On Jan. 10, 1966,(7) elected Speaker pro tempore Carl
Albert, of Oklahoma, pursuant to a resolution authorizing him to do so,
appointed a committee to notify the President that a quorum of each
House had assembled and that the Congress was ready to receive any
communication that he may be pleased to make.
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7. 112 Cong. Rec. 6, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Mr. [Hale] Boggs [of Louisiana]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a
preferential resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 628
Resolved, That a committee of three members be appointed by
the Speaker pro tempore on the part of the House of
Representatives to join with the committee on the part of the
Senate, to notify the President of the United States that a
quorum of each House is assembled, and Congress is ready to
receive any communication that he may be pleased to make.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Chair appoints as members of the
committee on the part of the House to join with the committee on
the part of the Senate to notify the President of the United States
that a quorum of each
[[Page 572]]
House is assembled and that the Congress is ready to receive any
communication he may be pleased to make, the gentleman from
Louisiana [Mr. Boggs], the gentleman from New York [Mr. Celler],
and the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Gerald R. Ford].
Sec. 14.14 Even though the Speaker pro tempore is elected, he must be
authorized to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions during an
adjournment of the House.
On July 7, 1958,(8) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas,
designated John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, Speaker pro tempore in
writing. That same day Speaker pro tempore McCormack was elected
Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
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8. 104 Cong. Rec. 13061, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
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On July 10, 1958,(9) unanimous consent was requested
that notwithstanding the adjournment of the House Speaker pro tempore
McCormack be authorized to sign any enrolled bills and joint
resolutions duly passed by the two Houses.
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9. 104 Cong. Rec. 13418, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that notwithstanding the adjournment of the House until
Monday next, the clerk be authorized to receive messages from the
Senate and that the Speaker pro tempore be authorized to sign any
enrolled bills and joint resolutions duly passed by the two Houses
and found truly enrolled.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: Is there objection to the request of
the gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
On Sept. 21, 1961,(10) unanimous consent was requested
that notwithstanding the adjournment of the House, elected Speaker pro
tempore John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, be authorized to sign
enrolled bills and joint resolutions during the adjournment.
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10. 107 Cong Rec. 20572, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that notwithstanding the adjournment of the House until
tomorrow, the Speaker pro tempore [Mr. McCormack] be authorized to
sign any enrolled bills and joint resolutions duly passed by the
two Houses and found truly enrolled.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: Is there objection to the request of
the gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
Sec. 14.15 Even though a Speaker pro tempore is elected, in the absence
of the Speaker he must be authorized to declare recesses during a
session.
On Aug. 31, 1961, the Honorable John W. McCormack, of Mas
[[Page 573]]
sachusetts, was elected as Speaker pro tempore in the absence of
Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, because of illness.
On Sept. 16, 1961,(11) a unanimous-consent request was
offered by Representative Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, enabling Speaker
pro tempore McCormack to declare recesses subject to the call of the
Chair during the rest of the session.
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11. 107 Cong. Rec. 19800, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. Albert: And if the gentleman will yield for the purpose, I
would like also to ask unanimous consent that any time during the
remainder of this session it may be in order for the Speaker pro
tempore to declare recesses subject to the call of the Chair. . . .
Mr. [Charles A.] Halleck [of Indiana]: Mr. Speaker, reserving
the right to object, may I say in connection with this request that
this matter has been called to my attention. It is standard
procedure as we come up to the end of a session. I sincerely hope
it is not objected to, because its adoption will very materially
expedite the business of the House of Representatives to the
objective of sine die adjournment.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: Is there objection to the request of
the gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection
Sec. 14.16 An elected Speaker pro tempore who is authorized to declare
recesses at any time during the remainder of a session may declare
a recess despite an objection to a unanimous-consent request that
the House adjourn.
On Sept. 23 (legislative day, Sept. 22), 1961,(12)
unanimous consent was requested to adjourn to meet at an hour other
than that prescribed as the daily hour of meeting. When objection was
heard, elected Speaker pro tempore John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts,
declared a recess.
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12. 107 Cong. Rec. 20854, 20867, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at
10 o'clock a.m. tomorrow.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: Is there objection to the request of
the gentleman from Oklahoma?
Mr. [H. Carl] Andersen of Minnesota: I object. . . .
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The House will stand in recess until
10 o'clock tomorrow morning.
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