[1] STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE [The 1979 general revision of the rules was accomplished by the adoption of S. Res. 274 on Nov. 14, 1979, a resolution submitted by Mr. Robert C. Byrd for himself and Mr. Baker; the preparation of the proposed revision was pursuant to the adoption of S. Res. 156 on May 10, 1976, a resolution by Mr. Robert C. Byrd; the general revision of the rules set forth in S. Res. 274 was somewhat altered in form by the adoption of S. Res. 389 on Mar. 25, 1980, to consolidate and renumber certain standing rules of the Senate. [Changes to Senate rules since the last general revision in 1979 are indicated by footnotes in each succeeding edition of the Senate Manual. [For the origin of various changes in Senate procedure between 1884 and 1979, as set forth in rules changes, adopted resolutions, and Legislative Reorganization Acts, see the table on p. XII of Senate Procedure, 1981 ed.] RULE I APPOINTMENT OF A SENATOR TO THE CHAIR 1 1. In the absence of the Vice President, the Senate shall 1.1 choose a President pro tempore, who shall hold the office and execute the duties thereof during the pleasure of the Senate and until another is elected or his term of office as a Senator expires. 2. In the absence of the Vice President, and pending the 1.2 election of a President pro tempore, the Acting President pro tempore or the Secretary of the Senate, or in his absence the Assistant Secretary, shall perform the duties of the Chair. 3. The President pro tempore shall have the right to 1.3 name in open Senate or, if absent, in writing, a Senator to perform the duties of the Chair, including the signing of duly enrolled bills and joint resolutions but such substitution shall not extend beyond an adjournment, except by unanimous consent; and the Senator so named shall have the right to name in open session, or, if absent, in writing, a Senator to perform the duties of the Chair, but not to 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 extend beyond an adjournment, except by unanimous consent. RULE II PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS AND QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE 1. The presentation of the credentials of Senators elect or of Senators designate and other questions of privilege shall always be in order, except during the reading and correction of the Journal, while a question of order or a motion to adjourn is pending, or while the Senate is voting or ascertaining the presence of a quorum; and all questions and motions arising or made upon the presentation of such credentials shall be proceeded with until disposed of. 2. The Secretary shall keep a record of the certificates of election and certificates of appointment of Senators by entering in a well-bound book kept for that purpose the date of the election or appointment, the name of the person elected or appointed, the date of the certificate, the name of the governor and the secretary of state signing and counter-signing the same, and the State from which such Senator is elected or appointed. 3. The Secretary of the Senate shall send copies of the following recommended forms to the governor and secretary of state of each State wherein an election is about to take place or an appointment is to be made so that they may use such forms if they see fit. THE RECOMMENDED FORMS FOR CERTIFICATES OF "CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM "To the President of the Senate of the United States: day of and our in the "CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR UNEXPIRED TERM "To the President of the Senate of the United States: "This is to certify that on the - day of, 19—, AB was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of -- a Senator for the unexpired term ending at noon on the 3d day of January, 19—, to fill the vacancy in the representation from said State in the Senate of the United States caused by the of C-D——. "Witness: His excellency seal hereto affixed at year of our Lord 19—. "By the governor: "GH-▬▬▬▬ "Secretary of State." "CERTIFICATE OF APPOINTMENT "To the President of the Senate of the United States: "This is to certify that, pursuant to the power vested in me by the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the State of ——, I, A—— B——, the governor of said State, do hereby appoint C--D-- a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States until the vacancy therein caused by the E—— F, is filled by election as provided by law. "Witness: His excellency our governor seal hereto affixed at year of our Lord 19-. of and our day of, in the "By the governor: "Secretary of State." "G-H- "Governor. The oaths or affirmations required by the Constitution and prescribed by law shall be taken and subscribed by each Senator, in open Senate, before entering upon his duties. OATH REQUIRED BY THE CONSTITUTION AND BY LAW TO BE I, AB do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will RULE IV COMMENCEMENT OF DAILY SESSIONS 4.1a 1.(a) The Presiding Officer having taken the chair, following the prayer by the Chaplain, and a quorum being present, the Journal of the preceding day shall be read unless by nondebatable motion the reading shall be waived, the question being, "Shall the Journal stand approved to date?", and any mistake made in the entries corrected. Except as provided in subparagraph (b) the reading of the Journal shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent; and when any motion shall be made to amend or correct the same, it shall be deemed a privileged question, and proceeded with until disposed of. 4.1b 4.1c (b) Whenever the Senate is proceeding under paragraph 2 of rule XXII, the reading of the Journal shall be dispensed with and shall be considered approved to date. (c) The proceedings of the Senate shall be briefly and accurately stated on the Journal. Messages of the President in full; titles of bills and resolutions, and such parts as shall be affected by proposed amendments; every vote, and a brief statement of the contents of each petition, 1 As amended by S. Res. 28, 99-2, Feb. 27, 1986. |