What’s a Joint Session of Congress?

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A joint session of Congress is an assembly of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. As a bicameral legislature, the United States Congress is separated into two bodies, sometimes referred to as the upper and lower houses. The policy and procedures in both chambers are different, as is the length of time limits, making the dynamics of legislative activities divergent. This results in the need for the House and Senate to meet occasionally for important events known as special sessions. A joint session of Congress is overseen by the leaders of both governing bodies: the Speaker of the House and the Vice President, acting as Speaker of the Senate.

There are two types of assemblies referred to as the Joint Session of Congress: a joint convention or a joint meeting. A joint convention occurs when both houses meet to carry out some sort of standard procedure, constitutional or otherwise, mandated by legislative necessity and tradition of oversight. This requires passing a resolution simultaneously by both houses, a piece of legislation that does not require the President’s signature and simply commits Congress to action. A joint meeting is held on occasions when the House and Senate need to consult or hear national diplomats or foreign officials. To revoke individual houses and reconvene in full Congress requires unanimous consent in which no member objects to the action.

Constitutionally, the House and Senate are required to meet in a joint session of Congress every four years after a general presidential election. A joint session of Congress is needed to approve the results of each state’s electoral college, the process by which the president is actually elected. Under the US Constitution, both the House and Senate must approve the results, and one member of each body is required to contest the electoral process. In this situation, the Vice-President supervises the work.

Each year, one of the most prominent examples of a joint session of Congress takes place during the first two months of the session. Known as the State of the Union Address, the president delivers a speech to both chambers, along with his cabinet, the US Supreme Court, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other dignitaries and guests. This speech outlines the executive branch’s legislative agenda and assesses the overall state of the nation. Many times, the President will request a joint convention at other times of the year as well.

Another important joint session of Congress takes place after a president is elected. On January 20 following a general election and constituency session, the president-elect is sworn in. This is the only time a formal special session occurs. While the legislative branch is not required to take any official action in these events, the presence of both houses is more a sign of respect for the office than an active government function.

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