    [United States Senate Manual, 117th Congress]
    [S. Doc. 117-1]
    [Standing Rules of the Senate]
    [Pages 203-215]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 203]]
                ------------------------------------------------------------

                   UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER AND GALLERIES REGULATIONS

                ------------------------------------------------------------

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

         150.1      1.0  Scope--These regulations are applicable only to the
                Senate Chamber and Galleries.

         150.2      2.0  Definitions--For purposes of these regulations, the
                following terms have the meaning specified.
                            2.1  Cloakroom means the two spaces, one
                        assigned to the majority party and one assigned to
                        the minority party, adjacent to the Senate Chamber.
                            2.2  Galleries means the ten seating galleries
                        located in the Senate Chamber.
                            2.3  Marble Room means the Senators meeting room
                        adjacent to the Senate Lobby.
                            2.4  Senate Chamber means the space that
                        encompasses the Senate Floor and Galleries.
                            2.5  Senate Floor means the floor of the Senate
                        Chamber.
                            2.6  Senate Lobby means the hallway space
                        adjoining the Senate Chamber to the Marble Room.
                            2.7  Sergeant at Arms means the Sergeant at Arms
                        of the Senate.

         150.3      3.0  Sergeant At Arms Chamber And Galleries Duties--The
                Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, under the direction of the
                Presiding Officer, shall be the Executive Officer of the
                body for the enforcement of all rules made by the Committee
                on Rules and Administration for the regulation of the Senate
                Chamber and Galleries.
                            3.1  The Senate Floor shall be at all times
                        under the Sergeant at Arms' immediate supervision,
                        and the Sergeant at Arms shall see that the various
                        subordinate officers of the Office of the Sergeant
                        at Arms perform the duties to which they are
                        especially assigned.

    [[Page 204]]

                            3.2  The Sergeant at Arms shall see that the
                        messengers assigned to the doors upon the Senate
                        Floor are at their posts and that the Senate Floor,
                        Cloakrooms, and Senate Lobby are cleared at least
                        five minutes before the opening of daily sessions of
                        all persons not entitled to remain there.
                            3.3  In the absence of the Sergeant at Arms the
                        duties of the office, so far as they pertain to the
                        enforcement of the rules, shall devolve upon the
                        Deputy Sergeant at Arms.

         150.4      4.0  Messengers Acting as Assistant Doorkeepers--The
                messengers acting as Assistant Doorkeepers shall be assigned
                to their duties by the Sergeant at Arms.

         150.5      5.0  Assignment of Majority and Minority Secretaries--
                The secretary for the majority and the secretary for the
                minority shall be assigned, during the daily sessions of the
                Senate, to duty upon the Senate Floor.

         150.6      6.0  Use of the Senate Chamber--When the Senate is not
                sitting in session or otherwise using the Chamber for some
                function of the Senate, no Senator shall seat any person or
                persons in chairs of Senators other than the chair assigned,
                no other persons shall seat anyone in a chair of a Senator;
                and lectures, talks, or speeches shall not be given at such
                times to groups on the Senate Floor by Senators or others
                except for the purpose of explaining the Chamber.

         150.7      7.0  Use of the Marble Room--No persons shall be
                admitted to the Marble Room except Senators.

         150.8      8.0  Use of the Cloakrooms--No persons shall be admitted
                to the Cloakrooms except those entitled to the privileges of
                the Senate Floor under the Rule XXIII of the Standing Rules
                of the Senate.

         150.9      9.0  Use of the Senate Lobby--No persons shall be
                admitted to the Senate Lobby except those entitled to the
                privileges of the Senate Floor under the Rule XXIII of the
                Standing Rules of the Senate.

        150.10      10.0  Use of Display Materials in the Senate Chamber--
                Graphic displays in the Senate Chamber are limited to
                charts, photographs, or renderings:
                            10.1  Size--No larger than 36 inches by 48
                        inches.

    [[Page 205]]

                            10.2  Where--On an easel stand next to the
                        Senator's desk or at the rear of the Chamber.
                            10.3  When--Only at the time the Senator is
                        engaged in debate.
                            10.4  Number--No more than two may be displayed
                        at a time.

        150.11      11.0  Solicitation and Commercial Activities
                Prohibited--No persons shall carry out any of the following
                activities in the Senate Chamber and Galleries: offer or
                expose any article for sale; display a sign, placard, or
                other form of advertisement; or solicit fares, alms,
                subscriptions, or contributions.

        150.12      12.0  Legislative Buzzers and Signal Lights--The system
                of legislative buzzers and signal lights, which correspond
                with rings if available, shall be as follows:
                            12.1  Pre-session signals:
                              12.1.1  One long ring at hour of convening.
                              12.1.2  One red light to remain lighted at all
                        times while Senate is in actual session.
                            12.2  Session signals:
                              12.2.1  One ring-Yeas and nays.
                              12.2.2  Two rings-quorum call.
                              12.2.3  Three rings-Call of absentees.
                              12.2.4  Four rings-Adjournment or recess. (End
                        of daily session.)
                              12.2.5  Five rings-Seven and a half minutes
                        remaining on yea and nay vote.
                              12.2.6  Morning business concluded-Six rings.
                        Lights cut off immediately.
                              12.2.7  Recess during daily session-Six rings.
                        Lights stay on during period of recess.

        150.13      13.0  Taking of Pictures Prohibited; Use of Mechanical
                Equipment in Chamber--
                            13.1  The taking of pictures of any kind is
                        prohibited in the Senate Chamber, the Marble Room,
                        the Senate Lobby, and the Senate Cloakrooms;
                        however,
                            13.2  The Sergeant at Arms shall be authorized
                        to admit into the spaces defined in 13.1 such
                        mechanical equipment and/or devices which, in the
                        judgment of the Sergeant at Arms, are necessary and
                        proper in the conduct of official Senate business
                        and which by their presence shall not in any way
                        distract, interrupt, or inconvenience the business
                        or Members of the Senate.

    [[Page 206]]

        150.14      14.0  Galleries--The Sergeant at Arms shall keep the
                aisles of the galleries clear, and shall not allow
                admittance into the galleries of more than their seating
                capacity. The Sergeant at Arms shall not permit any person
                to enter a gallery with or carrying any firearms or
                dangerous weapons except for law enforcement and other
                personnel performing duties under the direction of the
                Senate, or any package, bundle, suitcase, briefcase, or
                camera; the Sergeant at Arms shall not permit any person in
                any gallery to smoke, applaud, or commit any other type of
                demonstration either by sound or sign; except in the press,
                radio, television, and correspondents' galleries the
                Sergeant at Arms shall not permit any person to read (except
                the Senate seating diagram) or to write or take notes
                (except credentialed employees of the Senate when taking
                notes in the course of their employment); the Sergeant at
                Arms shall not permit any person to take any picture or
                photograph or to sketch or draw; the Sergeant at Arms shall
                not permit any person to place any object whatsoever-
                including hats, coats, or other personal apparel-or portion
                of a person on any railing, or any person to wear a hat,
                except that where a person's religious beliefs require that
                person wear a head-cover in such public places as the Senate
                Gallery, then such head-cover shall be permitted; and the
                Sergeant at Arms shall not allow any person to lean forward
                over the railings or to place hands thereon.
                            14.1  The galleries of the Senate shall be set
                        apart and occupied as follows:
                              14.1.1  Gallery 1--the gallery above the
                        northeastern corner of the Senate Chamber, commonly
                        referred to as the Staff Gallery, is reserved for
                        the use of credentialed employees of the Senate.
                              14.1.2  Gallery 2--the gallery above the
                        eastern entrance to the Senate Chamber, commonly
                        referred to as the Family Gallery, is reserved for
                        the exclusive use of the families of Senators,
                        former Presidents of the United States, and
                        incumbent Secretary and Sergeant at Arms of the
                        Senate.
                                14.1.2.1  The first two rows of the gallery
                        are reserved for the spouses and other members of
                        the immediate families of Senators.
                                14.1.2.2  The remainder of the gallery is
                        reserved for the families of Senators and guests
                        visiting their families who shall be designated by
                        some member of the Senator's family, and for the
                        families of

    [[Page 207]]

                        former Presidents of the United States, as well as
                        families of incumbent Secretary and Sergeant at Arms
                        of the Senate.
                              14.1.3  Gallery 3--the gallery over the
                        southeastern corner of the Senate Chamber, commonly
                        referred to as a Public Gallery, is reserved for the
                        use of persons holding a card issued by a Senator.
                                14.1.3.1  The period to which such card of
                        admission shall be limited rests entirely in the
                        discretion of the Senator issuing it, except that
                        such cards shall expire at the end of each session
                        and cards of a different color shall be furnished by
                        the Sergeant at Arms for the following session.
                                14.1.3.2  The Sergeant at Arms shall in the
                        Sergeant at Arms' discretion limit occupancy of the
                        public galleries to such periods as may be required
                        to accommodate with reasonable expediency all card
                        bearers who are seeking admission.
                              14.1.4  Gallery 4--the gallery between Gallery
                        3 and Gallery 5 on the south side of the Senate
                        Chamber, commonly referred to as the
                        Representatives' Gallery, is reserved for the use of
                        Members of Congress of the House of Representatives
                        and their guests.
                              14.1.5  Gallery 5--the gallery over the
                        southern main entrance to the Senate Chamber,
                        commonly referred to as the Presidential and
                        Diplomatic Gallery, is reserved for the use of the
                        Diplomatic Corps, and no person shall be admitted to
                        it excepting the Secretary of State, foreign
                        ministers, their families and Senators.
                                14.1.5.1  The first row on the eastern side
                        of this gallery shall be set apart for the use of
                        the President of the United States.
                                14.1.5.2  The second row on the eastern side
                        of this gallery shall be set apart for the use of
                        the Vice President of the United States.
                                14.1.5.3  The third row on the eastern side
                        of this gallery shall be set apart for the use of
                        the President pro tempore of the Senate.
                              14.1.6  Gallery 6--the gallery between Gallery
                        5 and Gallery 7 on the south side of the Senate
                        Chamber, commonly referred to as a Public Gallery,
                        is reserved for the use of large guided tours and
                        other special parties.

    [[Page 208]]

                              14.1.7  Gallery 7--the gallery over the
                        southwest corner of the Senate Chamber, commonly
                        referred to as the Accessible Gallery, is reserved
                        for the use of any guest, especially those who wish
                        to avoid stairs, and those who would like to view
                        closed captioning television, or use an assisted
                        listening device.
                              14.1.8  Gallery 8--the gallery over the west
                        entrance to the Senate Chamber, commonly referred to
                        as a Public Gallery, is reserved for the use of
                        persons holding a card issued by a Senator.
                                14.1.8.1  The period to which such card of
                        admission shall be limited rests entirely in the
                        discretion of the Senator issuing it, except that
                        such cards shall expire at the end of each session
                        and cards of a different color shall be furnished by
                        the Sergeant at Arms for the following session.
                                14.1.8.2  The Sergeant at Arms shall in the
                        Sergeant at Arms' discretion limit occupancy of the
                        public galleries to such periods as may be required
                        to accommodate with reasonable expediency all card
                        bearers who are seeking admission.
                            14.1.9  Gallery 9--the gallery over the
                        northwest corner of the Senate Chamber, commonly
                        referred to as a Public Gallery, is reserved for the
                        use of persons holding a card issued by a Senator.
                                14.1.9.1  The period to which such card of
                        admission shall be limited rests entirely in the
                        discretion of the Senator issuing it, except that
                        such cards shall expire at the end of each session
                        and cards of a different color shall be furnished by
                        the Sergeant at Arms for the following session.
                                14.1.9.2  The Sergeant at Arms shall in the
                        Sergeant at Arms' discretion limit occupancy of the
                        public galleries to such periods as may be required
                        to accommodate with reasonable expediency all card
                        bearers who are seeking admission.
                              14.1.10  Gallery 10--the gallery above the
                        Senate Floor dais on the north side of the Senate
                        Chamber including the front row of Gallery 1 and the
                        front row of Gallery 9, commonly referred to as the
                        Media Gallery, is reserved for the exclusive use of
                        the Press Gallery, Radio and Television
                        Correspondents Gallery, Periodical Press Gallery,
                        and Press Photographers' Gallery.

    [[Page 209]]

        150.15      15.0  Use of the Media Gallery--Gallery 10, the Media
                Gallery shall be further set apart and occupied as follows:
                            15.1  Press Gallery--The gallery in the rear of
                        the Vice President's chair shall be set apart for
                        reporters of daily newspapers.
                              15.1.1  The administration of the Press
                        Gallery shall be vested in a Standing Committee of
                        Correspondents elected by accredited members of the
                        gallery. The committee shall consist of five persons
                        elected to serve for terms of two years: Provided,
                        however, that at the election in January 1951, the
                        three candidates receiving the highest number of
                        votes shall serve for two years and the remaining
                        two for one year. Thereafter, three members shall be
                        elected in odd-numbered years and two in even-
                        numbered years. Elections shall be held in January.
                        The committee shall elect its own chair and
                        secretary. Vacancies on the committee shall be
                        filled by special election to be called by the
                        Standing Committee.
                                      15.1.2  Persons desiring admission to
                                the Press Gallery in the Senate wing shall
                                make application in accordance with Rule
                                XXXIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate,
                                which rule shall be interpreted and
                                administered by the Standing Committee of
                                Correspondents, subject to the review and
                                approval by the Senate Committee on Rules
                                and Administration.
                                      15.1.3  The Standing Committee of
                                Correspondents shall limit membership in the
                                Press Gallery to bona fide correspondents of
                                repute in their profession, under such rules
                                as the Standing Committee of Correspondents
                                shall prescribe: Provided, however, that the
                                Standing Committee of Correspondents shall
                                admit to the Press Gallery no person who
                                does not establish to the satisfaction of
                                the Standing Committee all of the following:
                                15.1.3.1  That the person's principal income
                        is obtained from news correspondence intended for
                        publication in newspapers entitled to second-class
                        mailing privileges.
                                15.1.3.2  That the person is not engaged in
                        paid publicity or promotion work or in prosecuting
                        any claim before Congress or before any department

    [[Page 210]]

                        of the Government, and will not become so engaged
                        while a member of the Press Gallery.
                                15.1.3.3  That the person is not engaged in
                        any lobbying activity and will not become so engaged
                        while a member of the Press Gallery.
                              15.1.4  Members of the families of
                        correspondents are not entitled to the privileges of
                        the Press Gallery.
                              15.1.5  The Standing Committee of
                        Correspondents shall propose no change or changes in
                        these rules except upon petition in writing signed
                        by not less than 100 accredited members of the Press
                        Gallery.
                            15.2  Radio and Television Correspondents
                        Gallery--The front row of Gallery 1 shall be set
                        apart for the use of the radio-television
                        correspondents.
                              15.2.1  Persons desiring admission to the
                        Radio and Television Correspondents Gallery of the
                        Senate shall make application to the Committee on
                        Rules and Administration of the Senate, as required
                        by Rule XXIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate;
                        and shall also state, in writing, the names of all
                        radio stations, television stations, systems, or
                        newsgathering organizations by which they are
                        employed; and what other occupation or employment
                        they may have, if any; and shall further declare
                        that they are not engaged in the prosecution of
                        claims or promotion of legislation pending before
                        Congress, the departments, or the independent
                        agencies, and that they will not become so employed
                        without resigning from the gallery. They shall
                        further declare that they are not employed in any
                        legislative or executive department or independent
                        agency of the Government, or by any foreign
                        government or representative thereof; that they are
                        not engaged in any lobbying activities; that they do
                        not and will not, directly or indirectly, furnish
                        special information to any organization, individual,
                        or group of individuals, for the influencing of
                        prices on any commodity or stock exchange; that they
                        will not do so during the time they retain
                        membership in the gallery. Holders of visitors'
                        cards who may be allowed temporary admission to the
                        gallery must conform to all the restrictions of this
                        paragraph.
                              15.2.2  It shall be prerequisite to membership
                        that the radio station, television station, system,
                        or newsgathering agencies which the applicants
                        represent shall certify, in writing, to the Radio
                        and Tele

    [[Page 211]]

                        vision Correspondents Gallery that the applicants
                        conform to the foregoing regulations.
                              15.2.3  The applications required by the above
                        rule shall be authenticated in a manner that shall
                        be satisfactory to the Executive Committee of the
                        Radio and Television Correspondents Gallery, which
                        shall see that the occupation of the gallery is
                        confined to bona fide news gatherers and/ or
                        reporters of reputable standing in their business
                        who represent radio stations, television stations,
                        systems, or newsgathering agencies engaged primarily
                        in serving radio stations, television stations, or
                        systems. It shall be the duty of the Executive
                        Committee of the Radio and Television Correspondents
                        Gallery to report, at its discretion, violation of
                        privileges of the gallery to the Senate Committee on
                        Rules and Administration, and, pending action
                        thereon, the offending individual may be suspended.
                              15.2.4  Persons engaged in other occupations,
                        whose chief attention is not given to-or more than
                        one-half of their earned income is not derived from-
                        the gathering or reporting of news for radio
                        stations, television stations, systems, or
                        newsgathering agencies primarily serving radio
                        stations, television stations, or systems, shall not
                        be entitled to admission to the Radio and Television
                        Correspondents Gallery. The Radio and Television
                        Correspondents list in the Congressional Directory
                        shall be a list only of persons whose chief
                        attention is given to the gathering and reporting of
                        news for radio stations, television stations, and
                        systems engaged in the daily dissemination of news,
                        and of representatives of newsgathering agencies
                        engaged in the daily service of news to such radio
                        stations, television stations, or systems.
                              15.2.5  Members of the families of
                        correspondents are not entitled to the privileges of
                        the gallery.
                              15.2.6  The Radio and Television
                        Correspondents Gallery shall be under the control of
                        the Executive Committee of the Radio and Television
                        Correspondents Gallery, subject to the approval and
                        supervision of the Senate Committee on Rules and
                        Administration.
                            15.3  Periodical Press Gallery - The front row
                        of Gallery 9 shall be set aside for the use of the
                        periodical press.

    [[Page 212]]

                              15.3.1  Persons eligible for admission to the
                        Periodical Press Gallery of the Senate must be bona
                        fide resident correspondents of reputable standing,
                        giving their chief attention to the gathering and
                        reporting of news. They shall state in writing the
                        names of their employers and their additional
                        sources of earned income; and they shall declare
                        that, while a member of the Gallery, they will not
                        act as an agent in the prosecution of claims, and
                        will not become engaged or assist, directly or
                        indirectly, in any lobbying, promotion, advertising,
                        or publicity activity intended to influence
                        legislation or any other action of the Congress, nor
                        any matter before any independent agency, or any
                        department or other instrumentality of the Executive
                        Branch; and that they will not act as an agent for,
                        or be employed by the federal, or any state, local
                        or foreign government or representatives thereof;
                        and that they will not, directly or indirectly,
                        furnish special or ``insider'' information intended
                        to influence prices or for the purpose of trading on
                        any commodity or stock exchange; and that they will
                        not become employed, directly or indirectly, by any
                        stock exchange, board of trade or other organization
                        or member thereof, or brokerage house or broker
                        engaged in the buying and selling of any security or
                        commodity. Applications shall be submitted to the
                        Executive Committee of the Periodical
                        Correspondents' Association and shall be
                        authenticated in a manner satisfactory to the
                        Executive Committee.
                              15.3.2  Applicants must be employed by
                        periodicals that regularly publish a substantial
                        volume of news material of either general, economic,
                        industrial, technical, cultural or trade character.
                        The periodical must require such Washington coverage
                        on a continuing basis and must be owned and operated
                        independently of any government, industry,
                        institution, association, or lobbying organization.
                        Applicants must also be employed by a periodical
                        that is published for profit and is supported
                        chiefly by advertising or by subscription, or by a
                        periodical meeting the conditions in this paragraph
                        but published by a non-profit organization that,
                        first, operates independently of any government,
                        industry, or institution and, second, does not
                        engage, directly or indirectly, in any lobbying or

    [[Page 213]]

                        other activity intended to influence any matter
                        before Congress or before any independent agency or
                        any department or other instrumentality of the
                        Executive Branch. House organs are not eligible.
                              15.3.3  Members of the families of
                        correspondents are not entitled to the privileges of
                        the gallery.
                              15.3.4  The Executive Committee may issue
                        temporary credentials permitting the privileges of
                        the Gallery to individuals who meet the rules of
                        eligibility but who may be on short-term assignment
                        or temporarily resident in Washington.
                              15.3.5  Under the authority of Rule XXIII of
                        the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Periodical
                        Press Gallery of the Senate shall be under the
                        control of the Executive Committee, subject to the
                        approval and supervision of the Senate Committee on
                        Rules and Administration. It shall be the duty of
                        the Executive Committee, at its discretion, to
                        report violations of the privileges of the Gallery
                        to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration,
                        and pending action thereon, the offending
                        correspondent may be suspended. The Committee shall
                        be elected at the start of each Congress by members
                        of the Periodical Correspondents' Association, and
                        shall consist of seven members with no more than one
                        member from any one publishing organization. The
                        Committee shall elect its own officers, and a
                        majority of the Committee may fill vacancies on the
                        Committee. The list in the Congressional Directory
                        shall be a list only of members of the Periodical
                        Correspondents' Association.
                            15.4  Press Photographer's Gallery--
                              15.4.1  Administration of the Press
                        Photographers' Gallery is vested in a Standing
                        Committee of Press Photographers consisting of six
                        persons elected by accredited members of the
                        gallery. The Committee shall be composed of one
                        member each from Associated Press Photos, Reuters
                        News Pictures or AFP Photos, magazine media, local
                        newspapers, agency or freelance member, and one at-
                        large member. The at-large member may be, but need
                        not be, selected from a media otherwise represented
                        on the Committee, however no organization may have
                        more than one representative on the Committee.
                              15.4.2  The term of office of a member of the
                        Committee elected as the Associated Press Photos

    [[Page 214]]

                        member, the local newspaper member, and the Reuters
                        News Pictures or AFP Photos member shall expire on
                        the day of the election held in the first odd-
                        numbered year following the year in which the person
                        was elected, and the term of office of a member of
                        the Committee elected as the magazine media member,
                        the agency or freelance member and the at-large
                        member shall expire on the day of the election held
                        in the first even-numbered year following the year
                        in which the person was elected. A member elected to
                        fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of
                        a term shall serve only for the unexpired portion of
                        such term.
                                15.4.2.1  Election for the Reuters News
                        Picture or AFP photos seat was held in 1999.
                                15.4.2.2  Election for the agency or
                        freelance seat was held in 2000.
                              15.4.3  Elections shall be held as early as
                        practicable in each year and in no case later than
                        March 31. A vacancy in the membership of the
                        Committee occurring prior to the expiration of a
                        term shall be filled by special election called for
                        that purpose by the Committee.
                              15.4.4  The Standing Committee of the Press
                        Photographers' Gallery shall propose no change or
                        changes in these rules except upon petition in
                        writing signed by not less than 25 accredited
                        members of the gallery.
                              15.4.5  Persons desiring admission to the
                        Press Photographers' Gallery of the Senate shall
                        make application in accordance Rule XXIII of the
                        Standing Rules of the Senate, which rule shall be
                        interpreted and administered by the Standing
                        Committee of Press Photographers subject to the
                        review and approval of the Senate Committee on Rules
                        and Administration.
                              15.4.6  The Standing Committee of Press
                        Photographers shall limit membership in the
                        photographers' gallery to bona fide news
                        photographers of repute in their profession and to
                        heads of Photographic Bureaus under such rules as
                        the Standing Committee of Press Photographers shall
                        prescribe.
                              15.4.7  Provided, however, That the Standing
                        Committee of Press Photographers shall admit to the
                        gallery no person who does not establish to the
                        satisfaction of the Committee all of the following:

    [[Page 215]]

                                15.4.7.1  That any member is not engaged in
                        paid publicity or promotion work or in prosecuting
                        any claim before Congress or before any department
                        of the Government, and will not become so engaged
                        while a member of the gallery.
                                15.4.7.2  That the person is not engaged in
                        any lobbying activity and will not become so engaged
                        while a member of the gallery.