Executive sessions are closed-door meetings held by governing bodies to discuss matters brought by executive authorities. They are used by the US government to ensure national security and by private companies to discuss financial data and policies. The concept comes from the Latin term in camera, used by courts to discuss cases without public record.
An executive session is any meeting conducted by a governing body to discuss matters brought to the organization by an executive authority. Most commonly, this is associated with the activities of the United States Senate, but any governing body that holds committee meetings behind closed doors is said to attend an executive session. This may also include those responsible for commercial or non-profit activities.
According to tradition, the President of the United States introduces some important points to be addressed by the legislative branch. Since the president does not have the right to legislate and relies on this body to approve appointments to certain offices and approve treaties, the committees must address the issues under discussion. In the past, these meetings took place without public scrutiny. This has changed dramatically in modern times, however, with the use of executive session meetings held during regular Senate discussions. Basically, anything that has to do with the details of the executive branch’s business or needs is considered an executive session.
The concept of closed-door committee meetings comes from the Latin term in camera. This has traditionally been used as a way for courts to discuss matters concerning a case without a public record. Judges often use this right to meet with attorneys to determine the admissibility of evidence or general procedural concerns.
The idea was adopted early on by the US government as a way to ensure national security. Sometimes some inside information needs to be shared between subsidiaries in the interest of checks and balances. If the executive does not share details of operations or state secrets, the legislature, with purse power, can decide to cut funding. To avoid this, the executive provides the information to Congress on the condition that it is not made public. For example, in times of war, the president has some executive authority over the holding or prosecution of combat that would endanger national security if the enemy learns of the activities.
In the private sector, executive sessions are also held behind closed doors to discuss material financial data or company policies that you do not wish to disclose to your competitors or the press. While this information is usually legally required to eventually be disclosed to the company’s shareholders, these closed-door committee meetings ensure the privacy of the company or nonprofit while decisions are made. Like government agencies, much of the information shared in these meetings helps ensure details are discussed between subsidiaries.
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