That means there are no floor resolutions, which are motions to take an action, like the request to read the names of the 13 military members who died. It’s a type of session in which no votes are held, and no formal legislative business is conducted. Pro forma sessions are known for being short. The video on C-SPAN shows that people shouted out as she lifted and landed her gavel, at which point it appears someone was standing to be recognized. At the end of the silence, Dingell looked down at the lectern to read aloud the adjourning script and then gaveled the session to an end, only lifting her eyes as she raised the gavel. It included an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence that lasted about 26 seconds during which those present in the chamber bowed their heads. The session lasted about four minutes, according to the record and C-SPAN video. Mackenzie Smith, spokesperson for Dingell, also confirmed to PolitiFact that Pelosi appointed Dingell as speaker pro tempore and that the meeting was a pro forma session. Pelosi appointed Dingell to take her place that day as speaker pro tempore. Debbie Dingell of Michigan presided over the meeting, the congressional record shows. But session rules prohibited action on a new motion, such as one that Republicans say came to the floor requesting that the names be read.ĭemocratic Rep. A moment of silence to honor the 13 killed had been planned ahead of time and was held during the session. What the claim muddles is that Pelosi wasn’t present at the session at all. The tweet gained widespread traction across social media, including in this Facebook post, which shared a screenshot of a news article touting the claim that Pelosi blocked the reading. Don’t you think our military deserves better?" "They just blocked Members of Congress from reading the names of the service members who sacrificed their lives in Afghanistan last week. Although such sessions were closed for many years, the modern Senate does most of its executive business in open session."How badly do Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrats want to cover up this Afghanistan debacle?" Gimenez wrote. In 1929 the Senate decided to open all routine business to the public, including much of its executive business deliberations.Įxecutive Session: In the Senate, a portion of most days is given to executive business with the Senate meeting in executive session to consider treaties or presidential nominations. After the Senate agreed to open its doors to the public in 1795, it continued to conduct all executive business-that dealing with treaties or presidential nominations-in closed session. From 1789 to 1795 the Senate always met in closed sessions. They are informally called "lame duck" members participating in a "lame duck" session.Ĭlosed sessions of the Senate, sometimes referred to as secret sessions, are used to debate confidential information, such as classified material dealing with national security, and for deliberations during impeachment trials. Among the lawmakers who return for this session are those who were defeated for reelection or chose not to run again. Lame Duck Session: A lame duck session occurs when Congress (or either chamber) reconvenes following the November general elections. This is known as a joint meeting.įrom the Latin, meaning “as a matter of form,” a pro forma session is a brief meeting of the Senate, often only a few minutes in duration. On some occasions, the two houses of Congress meet unofficially to hear foreign dignitaries speak or for other purposes. When the Senate and the House meet together to conduct formal business, to hear an address by the president, or to count electoral ballots, it is known as a joint session. Special Session: When the Senate convenes an extra session, following sine die adjournment, it is known as a special session.Įxtraordinary Session: An extraordinary session occurs when the president exercises his constitutional authority to call Congress back into session during a recess or after a sine die adjournment.
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