[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 7, Chapters 22 - 25]
[Chapter 24. Bills, Resolutions, and Memorials]
[A. Introductory; Various Types of Bills, Resolutions, and Other Mechanisms for Action]
[Â§ 4. Joint Resolutions]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 4791-4801]
 
                               CHAPTER 24
 
              Bills, Resolutions, Petitions, and Memorials
 
    A. INTRODUCTORY; VARIOUS TYPES OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, AND OTHER 
                         MECHANISMS FOR ACTION
 
Sec. 4. Joint Resolutions

    The joint resolution is another legislative instrument employed by 
the Congress in the exercise of its power under article I, section 1 of 
the Constitution. It is the type of measure that requires an 
affirmative vote by both Houses and submission to the President for 
approval under article I, section 7. When a joint resolution is 
approved by the President, or when he fails to return it to the 
Congress within the prescribed time, or when he vetoes it and his veto 
is overridden it becomes public law and it is published in the 
statutes-at-large as such.(12)
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12. 1 USC Sec. Sec. 106, 106a, 112.
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    Thus, the joint resolution is considered in the same manner as a 
bill, with one important exception: where a joint resolution is used to 
bring about a constitutional amendment,(13) the resolution, 
after approval thereof by both Houses by two-thirds vote, is submitted 
to the states for ratification. It is not submitted to the 
President.(14)
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13. Since 1936 the following amendments to the Constitution have been 
        adopted pursuant to joint resolutions: 22d amendment, H.J. Res. 
        27. 93 Cong. Rec. 2392, 80th Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 21, 1947; 
        23d amendment, S.J. Res. 39. 106 Cong. Rec. 12858, 86th Cong. 
        2d Sess., June 16, 1960; 24th amendment, S.J. Res. 29. 108 
        Cong. Rec. 17670, 87th Cong. 2d Sess., Sept. 14, 1962; 25th 
        amendment, S.J. Res. 1. 111 Cong. Rec. 15593, 89th Cong. 1st 
        Sess., July 6, 1965; and 26th amendment, S.J. Res. 7. 117 Cong. 
        Rec. 7570, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 23, 1971.
14. U.S. Const. art. 5.
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    There are no established rules requiring the use of a joint resolu

[[Page 4792]]

tion rather than of a public bill, or vice versa, in the consideration 
and enactment of legislation. However, in practice joint resolutions 
are not now used for purposes of general legislation. They are used for 
special purposes and for such incidental matters as changing or fixing 
effective dates,(15) to establish joint committees or 
provide a commission with subpena power,(16) or to provide 
continuing appropriations.(17) The joint resolution, because 
it permits the use of a preamble (which is not appropriate in a bill), 
is also used where it is necessary to set forth in the legislation the 
events or state of facts which prompt the measure. For this reason, 
declarations of war have been made by joint resolution.(18)
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15. See Sec. 4.4 et seq., infra.
16. See Sec. Sec. 4.10, 4.11, infra.
17. See Sec. 4.3, infra.
18. See Sec. 4.16, infra.
            Note: Joint resolutions may contain preambles which are 
        amendable after engrossment and prior to third reading of the 
        joint resolution.
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    Chapter 2 of title I of the United States Code contains the 
following provision regarding the enacting clause of a joint 
resolution:

        Sec. 102. The resolving clause of all joint resolutions shall 
    be in the following form: ``Resolved by the Senate and House of 
    Representatives of the United States of America in Congress 
    assembled.''                          -------------------

Constitutional Amendment

Sec. 4.1 It is permissible on the floor of the Senate, where a 
    germaneness rule is not operating, to amend a joint resolution that 
    is legislative in character by striking all after the resolving 
    clause and inserting provisions of a constitutional amendment.

    On Mar. 26, 1962,(19) during consideration in the Senate 
of a joint resolution (S.J. Res. 29) establishing the former dwelling 
house of Alexander Hamilton as a national monument, Senator Spessard L. 
Holland, of Florida, offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute 
proposing to amend the Constitution to abolish the poll tax. Senator 
Richard B. Russell, of Georgia, raised a point of order against the 
amendment: (20)
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19. 108 Cong. Rec. 5042, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
20. Id. at pp. 5083-87 (Mar. 27).
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        . . . I take the position that the Constitution itself 
    prescribes the method by which it may be amended, and that the 
    pending proposal does not appear in the Constitution as a means 
    where

[[Page 4793]]

    by a proposed constitutional amendment may be submitted to the 
    several States. I further submit that in the 173 years since the 
    Constitution of the United States was first ratified and approved, 
    no attempt whatever has ever been made to distort the 
    constitutional process. This is the first time in 173 years that an 
    effort has been made to use a piece of proposed general legislation 
    as a vehicle for amending the Constitution of the United States and 
    submitting that amendment to the several States. . . .
        In article V we find the language to which the great interest 
    of Congress should be devoted. Yet instead of a resolution in the 
    form prescribed or indicated in article V, and followed for the 173 
    years that Congress has been meeting, an attempt is made to utilize 
    a piece of proposed legislation, respectable enough in itself, 
    proposing a memorial to a great American who has not yet had any 
    memorial erected in his honor; but which requires the ordinary 
    legislative process requiring the signature of the President or 
    else a vote on the part of Congress to override a veto by the 
    President.

        Mr. President, the amendment of the Constitution of the United 
    States is a procedure which is solely between the Congress and the 
    several States. This is the only process from which the President 
    of the United States is completely excluded. Nothing in the 
    Constitution indicates that the President shall even see a proposed 
    amendment of the Constitution. He has no authority to veto it. 
    There is no requirement that he approve it. Nothing in the 
    Constitution indicates that it shall even be brought to his 
    attention.
        Yet the Senate is undertaking to add to article V of the 
    Constitution, without any authority to do so, a third method of 
    amending the Constitution, by saying that a proposed amendment to 
    the Constitution can be appended to the joint resolution now under 
    consideration.
        Mr. President, this is wholly unconstitutional procedure. 
    Nothing in the Constitution warrants it. Nothing in the precedents 
    of the Senate justifies it, although over the years we have had 
    almost every precedent of which the mind of man can conceive. . . .
        Mr. [Mike] Mansfield [of Montana]: Mr. President, I think it is 
    clear that the proposal of the Senator from Florida is entirely in 
    accord with the Constitution of the United States and with the 
    Senate rules. On the question of final adoption of Senate Joint 
    Resolution 29, as amended by the Holland substitute, two-thirds of 
    the Senate must vote in the affirmative if the resolution is to be 
    agreed to. The same will be true in the House of Representatives. 
    The joint resolution, as thus amended, will then be submitted to 
    the several States for ratification. Therefore, all the 
    requirements of the Constitution and of our rules will have been 
    met.
        Mr. President, I move that the question of constitutionality as 
    raised by the distinguished Senator from Georgia be laid on the 
    table, and I ask for the yeas and nays.

    The motion was agreed to (58 yeas, 34 nays).(21)
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21. Id. at pp. 5086, 5087.
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Sec. 4.2 A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution 
    may be amend

[[Page 4794]]

    ed in the Senate by a substitute providing legislative provisions 
    designed to accomplish the same result.

    On Feb. 2, 1960,(1) during consideration in the Senate 
of a joint resolution (S.J. Res. 39) to amend the Constitution to allow 
Governors to fill temporary vacancies in the House of Representatives, 
Senator Jacob K. Javits, of New York, raised the following 
parliamentary inquiry:
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 1. 106 Cong. Rec. 1747, 86th Cong. 2d Sess.
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        I understand that it will be in order, after action is taken on 
    the Holland amendment, for me to move as substitute for the entire 
    joint resolution a statutory provision to accomplish the same 
    result. Is that correct?
        The Presiding Officer: (2) The Senator is correct.
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 2. Edmund S. Muskie (Me.).
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Continuing Appropriations

Sec.  4.3 Measures providing continuing appropriations for a fiscal 
    year are enacted by joint resolution, and such joint resolutions, 
    when previously made in order by unanimous consent, are called up 
    as privileged, even though they are not now considered general 
    appropriations bills.

    On Aug. 25, 1965,(3) Mr. George H. Mahon, of Texas, made 
the following statement:
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 3. 111 Cong. Rec. 21751, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
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        Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of 
    yesterday, I call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 639) making 
    continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1966, and for other 
    purposes, and ask unanimous consent that it be considered in the 
    House as in Committee of the Whole. . . .
        The Speaker: (4) Is there objection to the request 
    of the gentleman from Texas?
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 4. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
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        There was no objection.

Fixing Date for Reorganization Plan

Sec. 4.4 A joint resolution has been used to fix the date when certain 
    reorganization plans of the President shall go into effect.

    On June 1, 1939,(5) the House considered the following 
Senate joint resolution (S.J. Res. 138):
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 5. 84 Cong. Rec. 6527, 76th Cong. 1st Sess.
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        Resolved, etc., That the provisions of reorganization plan No. 
    I, submitted to the Congress on April 25, 1939, and the provisions 
    of reorganization plan No. II, submitted to the Congress on May 9, 
    1939, shall take effect on July 1, 1939, notwithstanding the 
    provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1939.

[[Page 4795]]

        With the following committee amendment:
        Page 1, after line 8, insert the following:
        ``Sec. 2. Nothing in such plans or this joint resolution shall 
    be construed as having the effect of continuing any agency or 
    function beyond the time when it would have terminated without 
    regard to such plans or this joint resolution or of continuing any 
    function beyond the time when the agency in which it was vested 
    would have terminated without regard to such plans or this joint 
    resolution.''

Fixing Date for Convening Congress

Sec. 4.5 A joint resolution has been used to fix the day of meeting of 
    a new session of Congress in lieu of the regular meeting date.

    On Dec. 30, 1941,(6) the House considered and passed the 
following joint resolution (S.J. Res. 123):
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 6. 87 Cong. Rec. 10126-31, 77th Cong. 1st Sess.
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        Resolved, etc., That the second session of the Seventy-seventh 
    Congress shall begin at noon on Monday, January 5, 1942, and the 
    first session of the Seventy-eight Congress shall begin at noon on 
    Monday, January 4, 1943.(7)
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 7. The Constitution provides: ``The Congress shall assemble at least 
        once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 
        3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different 
        day.'' U.S. Const. amend. 20, Sec. 2.
            See also 111 Cong. Rec. 28563, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Oct. 
        22, 1965; 105 Cong. Rec. 19364, 19365, 86th Cong. 1st Sess., 
        Sept. 12, 1959; joint resolution pocket vetoed 102 Cong. Rec. 
        15294, 84th Cong. 2d Sess., July 27, 1956; and 93 Cong. Rec. 
        10521, 80th Cong. 1st Sess., July 26, 1947.
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Change in Date for Counting Electoral Votes

Sec. 4.6 A joint resolution has been used to change the date for the 
    counting of the electoral votes.

    On Feb. 7, 1956,(8) the House considered and passed the 
following joint resolution (H.J. Res. 517):
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 8. 102 Cong. Rec. 2220, 84th Cong. 2d Sess.
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        Whereas January 6, 1957, is a Sunday; and
        Whereas Public Law 771, 80th Congress (62 Stat. 672, 675), 
    provides that ``Congress shall be in session on the 6th day of 
    January succeeding every meeting of the (Presidential) electors'' 
    for the purpose of counting the electoral votes: Therefore be it

        Resolved, etc., That the two Houses of Congress shall meet in 
    the Hall of the House of Representatives on Monday the 7th day of 
    January 1957, at 1 o'clock postmeridian, pursuant to the 
    requirements of the Constitution and laws relating to the election 
    of President and Vice President of the United States.

[[Page 4796]]

Change in Date for Submission of Presidential Budget

Sec. 4.7 A joint resolution has been used to postpone the dates for the 
    submission of the President's budget message and economic report.

    On Jan. 6, 1965,(9) the House considered and passed the 
following joint resolution (H.J. Res. 123):
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 9. 111 Cong. Rec. 134, 135, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
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        Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
    United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) 
    notwithstanding the provisions of section 201 of the Act of June 
    10, 1922, as amended (31 U.S.C. 11), the President shall transmit 
    to the Congress not later than January 25, 1965, the budget for the 
    fiscal year 1966, and (b) notwithstanding the provisions of section 
    3 of the Act of February 20, 1946, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1022), the 
    President shall transmit to the Congress not later than January 28, 
    1965, the Economic Report.(10)
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10. For a joint resolution postponing the dates set by law for the 
        transmittal of the President's economic report and the report 
        thereon by the Joint Economic Committee, see 115 Cong. Rec.  
        40901, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Dec. 22, 1969.
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Authorizing Printing of Publication

Sec. 4.8 A joint resolution has been used to authorize the printing of 
    additional copies of ``Senate Procedure'' and making such 
    publications subject to copyright.

    On Oct. 16, 1963,(11) the House considered and passed 
the following joint resolution (S.J. Res. 123):
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11. 109 Cong. Rec. 19611, 88th Cong. 1st Sess.
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        Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
    United States of America in Congress assembled, That there shall be 
    printed and bound for the use of the Senate one thousand five 
    hundred copies of a revised edition of Senate Procedure, to be 
    prepared by Charles L. Watkins, Parliamentarian, and Floyd M. 
    Riddick, Assistant Parliamentarian, to be printed under the 
    supervision of the authors and to be distributed to the Members of 
    the Senate.
        Sec. 2. That, notwithstanding any provisions of the copyright 
    laws and regulations with respect to publications in the public 
    domain, such edition of Senate Procedure shall be subject to 
    copyright by the authors thereof.

Sec. 4.9 The House agreed to a joint resolution providing for the 
    printing of ``Cannon's Procedure in the House of Representatives.''

    On Mar. 25, 1959,(12) the House considered and passed 
the fol
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12. 105 Cong. Rec. 5259, 5260, 86th Cong. 1st Sess.
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[[Page 4797]]

lowing joint resolution (H.J. Res. 301):

        Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
    United States of America in Congress assembled, That there shall be 
    printed and bound for the use of the House one thousand five 
    hundred copies of ``Cannon's Procedure in the House of 
    Representatives'', by Clarence Cannon, to be printed under the 
    supervision of the author and to be distributed to the Members by 
    the Speaker.
        Sec. 2. That, notwithstanding any provision of the copyright 
    laws and regulations with respect to publications in the public 
    domain, ``Cannon's Procedure in the House of Representatives'' 
    shall be subject to copyright by the author thereof.

Establishing a Joint Committee

Sec. 4.10 The House considered a joint resolution proposing the 
    establishment of a joint committee to investigate crime.

    On July 12, 1968,(13) the House considered the following 
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 1):
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13. 114 Cong. Rec. 21012, 90th Cong. 2d Sess.
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        Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
    United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) there is 
    hereby created a Joint Committee To Investigate Crime, to be 
    composed of seven Members of the House of Representatives to be 
    appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and seven 
    Members of the Senate to be appointed by the President pro tempore 
    of the Senate. In each instance not more than four members shall be 
    members of the same political party.(14)
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14. Investigations generally, see Ch. 15, supra; creating committees, 
        see Ch. 17, supra.
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Grant of Subpena Power

Sec. 4.11 The House agreed to a joint resolution granting subpena 
    powers to the commission appointed by the President to report on 
    the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

    On Dec. 10, 1963,(15) the House considered and passed a 
joint resolution (S.J. Res. 137) stating in part:
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15. 109 Cong. Rec. 23941, 88th Cong. 1st Sess.
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        Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
    United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) for the 
    purposes of this joint resolution, the term `Commission' means the 
    Commission appointed by the President by Executive Order 11130, 
    dated November 29, 1963.
        (b) The Commission, or any member of the Commission when so 
    authorized by the Commission, shall have power to issue subpenas 
    requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the 
    production of any evidence that relates to any matter under 
    investigation

[[Page 4798]]

    by the Commission. The Commission, or any member of the Commission 
    or any agent or agency designated by the Commission for such 
    purpose, may administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, 
    and receive evidence.

Travel Appropriations

Sec. 4.12 The House considered a joint resolution making appropriations 
    for mileage for the Vice President, Senators, Representatives, 
    Delegates, and Commissioners, and for pay of pages incidental to a 
    special session of Congress.

    On Sept. 25, 1939,(16) the House considered and passed 
the following joint resolution (H.J. Res. 384):
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16. 85 Cong. Rec. 16, 76th Cong. 2d Sess.
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        Resolved, etc., That the following sums are hereby 
    appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
    appropriated, for the payment of expenses incident to the second 
    session of the Seventy-sixth Congress, namely:
        For mileage of the President of the Senate and of Senators, 
    $51,000.
        For mileage of Representatives, the Delegate from Hawaii, and 
    the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and for expenses of the 
    Delegate from Alaska, $171,000.
        For the payment of 21 pages for the Senate and 48 pages for the 
    House of Representatives, at $4 per day each, for the period 
    commencing September 21, 1939, and ending with the last day of the 
    month in which the Seventy-sixth Congress adjourns sine die at the 
    second session thereof, so much as may be necessary for each the 
    Senate and House of Representatives.

Presidential Honors

Sec. 4.13 The House considered a joint resolution providing for a 
    Presidential proclamation recognizing former President Truman's 
    role in the creation of the United Nations.

    On Sept. 26, 1968,(17) the House considered and passed 
the following joint resolution (H.J. Res. 1459):
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17. 114 Cong. Rec. 28327, 90th Cong. 2d Sess.
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        Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
    United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President 
    of the United States is hereby authorized and requested to issue on 
    October 24, 1968, a proclamation recognizing the significant part 
    which Harry S. Truman, as President of the United States, played in 
    the creation of the United Nations.

Sec. 4.14 The House considered a joint resolution providing for a joint 
    session of Congress to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 
    birth of Abraham Lincoln.

    On July 24, 1958,(18) the House considered and passed 
the fol
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18. 104 Cong. Rec. 15019, 15020, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
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[[Page 4799]]

lowing joint resolution (H.J. Res. 648):

        Whereas Thursday, February 12, 1959, will mark the 150th 
    anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the 
    United States; and
        Whereas Mr. Lincoln is our best example of that personal 
    fulfillment which American institutions permit and encourage; and . 
    . .
        Whereas on Monday, February 12, 1866, in the presence of the 
    President of the United States, the members of his Cabinet, the 
    Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, the 
    diplomatic corps, officers of the Army and Navy, assistant heads of 
    departments, the governors of States and Territories, and others in 
    authority, the two Houses of Congress convened in joint session to 
    hear ``an address upon the life and character of Abraham Lincoln, 
    late President of the United States,'' pronounced by an eminent 
    historian, the Honorable George Bancroft: Now, therefore, be it
        Resolved, etc., That on Thursday, February 12 next, the 
    sesquicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln shall be 
    commemorated by a joint session of the Congress, and to that end 
    the President of the Senate will appoint 4 Members of the Senate 
    and the Speaker of the House will appoint 4 Members of the House of 
    Representatives jointly to constitute a Committee on Arrangements.
        The Committee on Arrangements shall plan the proceedings, issue 
    appropriate invitations, and select a distinguished Lincoln scholar 
    to deliver the memorial address; and be it further
        Resolved, That the President of the United States, the Vice 
    President of the United States, the Chief Justice and Associate 
    Justices of the Supreme Court, the diplomatic corps, assistant 
    heads of departments, and the members of the Lincoln 
    Sesquicentennial Commission be invited to join in this 
    commemoration.

Sec. 4.15 The House considered a joint resolution providing for a 
    ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's second 
    inauguration.

    On June 23, 1964,(19) the House considered and passed 
the following joint resolution (H.J. Res. 925):
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19. 110 Cong. Rec. 14699, 88th Cong. 2d Sess.
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        Whereas March 4, 1965, will be the one hundredth anniversary of 
    the second inauguration of Abraham Lincoln as President of the 
    United States; and
        Whereas President Lincoln in his inaugural address looked to 
    the end of a great fratricidal struggle and spoke, ``with malice 
    toward none and charity for all,'' of ``a just and lasting peace 
    among ourselves and with all nations''; and . . .
        Whereas today a part of the aspirations which Abraham Lincoln 
    held for the people of the United States has been achieved: Now, 
    therefore, be it
        Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
    United States of America in Congress assembled, That on Wednesday, 
    March 4 next, the one hundredth anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's 
    second inauguration shall be commemorated by such observance as may 
    be determined by the committee

[[Page 4800]]

    on arrangements in cooperation with the National Civil War 
    Centennial Commission, the Civil War Centennial Commission of the 
    District of Columbia, and the Lincoln Group of the District of 
    Columbia.
        Immediately upon passage of this resolution, the President of 
    the Senate shall appoint four Members of the Senate and the Speaker 
    of the House shall appoint four Members of the House of 
    Representatives jointly to constitute a committee on arrangements.

Declaration of War

Sec. 4.16 The House adopted a joint resolution declaring war on Japan.

    On Dec. 8, 1941,(20) the House passed the following 
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 254):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 87 Cong. Rec. 9519, 9520, 77th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Whereas the Imperial Government of Japan has committed repeated 
    acts of war against the Government and the people of the United 
    States of America: Therefore be it
        Resolved, etc., That the state of war between the United States 
    and the Imperial Government of Japan which has thus been thrust 
    upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and that the 
    President be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to employ 
    the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the 
    resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial 
    Government of Japan; and to bring the conflict to a successful 
    termination all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged 
    by the Congress of the United States.(1)
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 1. For other joint resolution declaring war, see also: (1) against 
        Rumania, 88 Cong. Rec. 4818, 77th Cong. 2d Sess., June 3, 1942; 
        (2) against Hungary, 88 Cong. Rec. 4817, 77th Cong. 2d Sess., 
        June 3, 1942; (3) against Bulgaria, 88 Cong. Rec. 4816, 77th 
        Cong. 2d Sess., June 3, 1942; and (4) against Germany and 
        Italy, 87 Cong. Rec. 9665, 9666, 77th Cong. 1st Sess., Dec. 11, 
        1941.
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Sec. 4.17 The House adopted a joint resolution relating to hostilities 
    in Southeast Asia and supporting the President's actions to repel 
    aggression by North Vietnam.

    On Aug. 7, 1964,(2) the House considered and passed the 
following joint resolution (H.J. Res. 1145):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 110 Cong. Rec. 18538, 18539, 88th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Whereas naval units of the Communist regime in Vietnam, in 
    violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations 
    and of international law, have deliberately and repeatedly attacked 
    United States naval vessels lawfully present in international 
    waters, and have thereby created a serious threat to international 
    peace; and
        Whereas these attacks are part of a deliberate and systematic 
    campaign of aggression that the Communist regime in North Vietnam 
    has been waging against its neighbors and the nations

[[Page 4801]]

    joined with them in the collective defense of their freedom; and
        Whereas the United States is assisting the peoples of southeast 
    Asia to protect their freedom and has no territorial, military or 
    political ambitions in that area, but desires only that these 
    peoples should be left in peace to work out their own destinies in 
    their own way: Now, therefore, be it
        Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
    United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Congress 
    approves and supports the determination of the President, as 
    Commander in Chief, to take all necessary measures to repel any 
    armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent 
    further aggression.
        Sec. 2. The United States regards as vital to its national 
    interest and to world peace the maintenance of international peace 
    and security in southeast Asia. Consonant with the Constitution of 
    the United States and the Charter of the United Nations and in 
    accordance with its obligations under the Southeast Asia Collective 
    Defense Treaty, the United States is, therefore, prepared, as the 
    President determines, to take all necessary steps, including the 
    use of armed force, to assist any member or protocol state of the 
    Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty requesting assistance in 
    defense of its freedom.
        Sec. 3. This resolution shall expire when the President shall 
    determine that the peace and security of the area is reasonably 
    assured by international conditions created by action of the United 
    Nations or otherwise, except that it may be terminated earlier by 
    concurrent resolution of the Congress.