JK 1266 1917b Copy 1 Standing Rules FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE Senate of the United States WITH RULES FOR THE REGULA- TION OF THE SENATE WING OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL ADOPTED BY THE COM- MITTEE ON RULES Corrected to March 8, 191 7 WASHINGTON 1917 Standing Rules FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE Senate of the United States WITH RULES FOR THE REGULA- TION OF THE SENATE WING OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL ADOPTED BY THE COM- MITTEE ON RULES Corrected to March 8, 191 7 WASHINGTON 1917 1 n { & *& Gratia] Boofc ft **■ &et. h ie*£ TABLE OF CONTENTS. Standing rules for conducting business in the Senate op the United States 5 Index to 43 Rules for the regulation of the Senate wing of the United States Capitol 69 3 STANDING RULES FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. [Rules agreed to January n, 1884, and took effect January 21, 1S84. Date of amendments thereto indicated below each clause.] RULE I. APPOINTMENT OF A SENATOR TO THE CHAIR. 1 i. In the absence of the Vice-President, the Senate shall choose a President pro tempore. [jeffersons Manual, sec. ix. 2. In the absence of the Vice-President, and pending the election of a President pro tempore, the Secretary of the Senate, or in his absence the Chief Clerk, shall perform the duties of the Chair. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. IX. 3. The President pro tempore shall have the right to name in open Senate, or, if absent, in writing, a Senator to perform the duties of the Chair; but such substitution shall not extend beyond an adjournment, except by unanimous consent. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. IX. 4. In event of a 2 vacancy in the office of the Vice-President, 3 or whenever the powers and duties of the President shall devolve 1 On motion by Mr. Evarts, the Senate resumed the consideration of the resolution relative to the tenure of office of the President pro tempore; and having been amended on the motion of Mr. Turpie to read as follows: Resolved, That it is competent for the Senate to elect a President pro tempore, who shall hold the office during the pleasure of the Senate and until another is elected, and shall execute the duties thereof during all future absences of the Vice-President until the Senate otherwise order. After debate, the resolution as amended was agreed to. [Senate Jour., Mar. 12, 1890 2 Agreed to, with the words "the death" in lieu of words "a vacancy in the office." Fifty-sixth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 254, April 6, 1900. Amended by striking out in line 1, clause 4, the words "the death of" and inserting "a vacancy in the office of," in line 1. Fifty-eighth Con- gress, third session. Senate Journal, page 41, December 15, 1904. 3 At end of line 1 , clause 4, amended to read ' ' or whenever the powers and duties of the President shall devolve on the Vice-President. ' ' Fifty -seventh Congress, first session. Senate Journal, pages 331, 332, April 18, 1902. 5 6 Standing Rules of tJie Senate. on the Vice-President, the President pro tempore shall have the right to name, in writing, a Senator to perform the duties of the Chair during his absence; and the Senator so named shall have the right to name in open session, or in writing, if absent, a Senator to perform the duties of the Chair, but such substitution shall not extend beyond adjournment, except by unanimous Consent. 1 [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. IX. RULE II. OATHS, ETC. The oaths or affirmations required by the Constitution and prescribed by law shall be taken and subscribed by each Sena- tor, in open Senate, before entering upon his duties, [see page 37. RULE III. COMMENCEMENT OF DAILY SESSIONS. i . The Presiding Officer having taken the chair, and a quorum being present, the Journal of the preceding day shall be read, and any mistake made in the entries corrected. 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. [Jefferson's Manual, Sees. VI, XI.IX. 2. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Senators duly Chosen and SWOrn. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. VI. RULE IV. JOURNAL. i . The proceedings of the Senate shall be briefly and accu- rately stated on the Journal. Messages of the President in 1 Mr. Piatt, of Connecticut, submitted the following resolution; which was considered by unanimous consent and agreed to: Resolved ', That whenever a Senator shall be designated by the President pro tempore to perform the duties of the Chair during his temporary absence he shall be empowered to sign, as acting President pro tempore, the enrolled bills and joint resolutions coining from the House of Repre- sentatives for presentation to the President of the United States. [Senate Jour., p. 47, Jan. 4, 1905. Standing Rules of the Senate. 7 full; titles of bills and joint resolutions, and such parts as shall be affected by proposed amendments; every vote, and a brief statement of the contents of each petition, memorial, or paper presented to the Senate, shall be entered. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. X1„IX. 2. The legislative, the executive, the confidential legislative proceedings, and the proceedings when sitting as a Court of Impeachment, shall each be recorded in a separate book. [Jefferson's Manual. Sec. XI„IX. RULE V. QUORUM — ABSENT SENATORS MAY BE SENT FOR. 1. No Senator shall absent himself from the service of the Senate witllOUt leave. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. VIII. 2. If, at any time during the daily sessions of the Senate, a question shall be raised by any Senator as to the presence of a quorum, the Presiding Officer shall forthwith direct the Sec- retary to call the roll and shall announce the result, and these proceedings Shall be without debate. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. VII. 3. Whenever upon such roll call it shall be ascertained that a quorum is not present, a majority of the Senators present may direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to request, and, when nec- essary, to compel the attendance of the absent Senators, which order shall be determined without debate; and pending its execution, and until a quorum shall be present, no debate nor motion, except to adjourn, shall be in order. [Jefferson's Manual, Sees. VII, VIII. RULE VI. PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS. I. The presentation of the credentials of Senators elect and other questions of privilege shall always be in order, except during the reading and correction of the Journal, while a ques- tion of order or a motion to adjourn is pending, or while the S9952" — 17 2 8 Standing Rules of the Senate. Senate is dividing; and all questions and motions arising or made upon the presentation of such credentials shall be pro- ceeded with until disposed of. 2. The Secretary shall keep a record of the certificates of elec- tion of Senators by entering in a well-bound book kept for that purpose the date of the election , the name of the person elected and the vote given at the election, the date of the certificate, the name of the governor and the secretary of state signing and countersign- ing the same, and the State from which such Senator is elected. 1 J FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EJECTION. Resolution submitted by Mr. Kern, and agreed to August 20, 1914: Resolved, That in the opinion of the Senate the following are convenient and sufficient forms of certificate of election of a Senator or the appointment of a Senator, to be signed by the executive of any State in pursuance of the Constitution and the statutes of the United States: " To the President of the Senate of the United States: " This is to certify that on the — day of , 19 — , A B was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 4th day of March, 19 — . "Witness: His excellency our governor , and our seal hereto affixed at this — day of , in the year of our L,ord 19 — . " By the governor: " C D , Governor. ' ' Secretary of State . ' ' ' 4 To the President of the Senate of the United Stales: 1 ' 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 of E F , is filled by election as provided by law. "Witness: His excellency our governor , and our seal hereto affixed at this — day of , in the year of our L,ord 19 — . "By the governor: "G H , ' ' I J , ' ' Governor. ' ' Secretary of State . ' ' Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate shall send copies of these suggested forms and these resolutions to the executive and secretary of each State wherein an election is about to take place or an appointment is to be made in season that they may use such forms if they see fit. [Senate Jour., 2 sess. 63 Cong. p. 472. Standing Rules of the Senate. 9 RULE VII. MORNING BUSINESS. 1. After the Journal is read, the Presiding Officer shall lay before the Senate messages from the President, reports and communications from the heads of Departments, and other com- munications addressed to the Senate, and such bills, joint reso- lutions, and other messages from the House of Representatives as may remain upon his table from any previous day's session undisposed of. The Presiding Officer shall then call for, in the following order: The presentation of petitions and memorials. Reports of standing and select committees. The introduction of bills and joint resolutions. Concurrent and other resolutions. 1 All of which shall be received and disposed of in such order, unless unanimous consent shall be otherwise given. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XIV. 2. 2 Senators having petitions, memorials, pension bills, bills for the payment of private claims or for the correction of naval or military records to present after the morning hour may deliver them to the Secretary of the Senate, indorsing upon them their names and the reference or disposition to be made thereof, and said petitions, memorials, and bills shall, with the approval of the Presiding Officer, be entered on the Journal with the names of the Senators presenting them as having been 1 On motion by Mr. Hoar, Ordered, That until otherwise ordered, the chair shall proceed with the call for resolutions to be newly offered before laying before the Senate res- olutions which came over from a former day. [Senate Jour., 49th Cong., 1st sess., Dec. 17, 1885, p. 102. 2 Agreed to. Fifty-ninth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 548, May 31, 1906. io Standing Rules of the Senate. read twice and referred to the appropriate committees, and the Secretary of the Senate shall furnish a transcript of such entries to the official reporter of debates for publication in the Record. 1 It shall not be in order to interrupt a Senator having the floor for the purpose of introducing any memorial, petition, report of a committee, resolution, or bill. It shall be the duty of the Chair to enforce this rule without any point of order hereunder being made by a Senator. 3. Until the morning business shall have been concluded, and so announced from the Chair, or until the hour of 1 o'clock has arrived, no motion to proceed to the consideration of any bill, resolution, report of a committee, or other subject upon the Calendar shall be entertained by the Presiding Officer, unless by unanimous consent; and if such consent be given the motion shall not be subject to amendment, and shall be decided without debate upon the merits of the subject proposed to be taken Up. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XIV. 4. Every petition or memorial shall be referred, without put- ting the question, unless objection to such reference is made; in which case all motions for the reception or reference of such petition, memorial, or other paper shall be put in the order in which the same shall be made, and shall not be open to amend- ment, except tO add instructions. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XIX. 2 5. Every petition or memorial shall be signed by the peti- tioner or memorialist and have indorsed thereon a brief state- ment of its contents, and shall be presented and referred without debate. But no petition or memorial or other paper signed by Agreed to. Fifty-ninth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 548, May 31, 1906. 2 Clause 4 of original Rule 7 amended down to the period and numbered clause 5; clause 2 changed to 3; clause 3 changed to 4. Fiftieth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, pages 427, 428, March 6, 1888. Standing Rides of the Senate. 1 1 citizens or subjects of a foreign power shall be received, unless the same be transmitted to the Senate by the President. 1 [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XIX. 2 6. The Presiding Officer may at any time lay, and it shall be in order at any time for a Senator to move to lay, before the Senate, any bill or other matter sent to the Senate by the Presi- dent or the House of Representatives, and any question pending at that time shall be suspended for this purpose. An}' motion so made shall be determined without debate. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XIV. RULE VIII. ORDER OF BUSINESS. At the conclusion of the morning business for each day, unless upon motion the Senate shall at an}' time otherwise order, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the Calendar of Bills and Resolutions, and continue such consideration until 2 o'clock; 3 and bills and resolutions that are not objected to shall be taken up in their order, and each Senator shall be entitled to speak once and for five minutes only upon any question; and the ob- jection may be interposed at any stage of the proceedings, but upon motion the Senate may continue such consideration; and this order shall commence immediately after the call for ' ' con- current and other resolutions, ' ' and shall take precedence of the unfinished business and other special orders. But if the Senate shall proceed with the consideration of any matter notwithstand- 1 Ordered, That when petitions and memorials are ordered printed in the Congressional Record the order shall be deemed to apply to the body of the petition only, and the names attached to said petition or memorial shall not be printed unless specially ordered by the Senate. [Senate Jour., 49th Cong., 2d sess., p. 280. 2 Agreed to. Forty-eighth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 431, March 17, 1884. 3 Resolution submitted by Mr. Hoar and adopted August 10, 18S8, Senate Journal, page 1266: Resolved, That after to-day, unless otherwise ordered, the morning hour shall terminate at the expiration of two hours after the meeting of the Senate. 12 Standing Rules of the Senate. ing an objection, the foregoing provisions touching debate shall not apply. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XIV. *A11 motions made before 2 o'clock to proceed to the consider- ation of any matter shall be determined without debate. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XIV. RULE IX. ORDER OF BUSINESS (CONTINUED). Immediately after the consideration of cases not objected to upon the Calendar is completed, and not later than 2 o'clock, if there shall be no special orders for that time, the Calendar of General Orders shall be taken up and proceeded with in its order, beginning with the first subject on the Calendar next after the last subject disposed of in proceeding with the Calendar ; and in such case the following motions shall be in order at any time as privileged motions, save as against a motion to adjourn, or to proceed to the consideration of executive business, or questions of privilege, to wit : First. A motion to proceed to the consideration of an appro- priation or revenue bill. Second. A motion to proceed to the consideration of any other bill on the Calendar, which motion shall not be open to amendment. Third. A motion to pass over the pending subject, which if carried shall have the effect to leave such subject without prej- udice in its place on the Calendar. Fourth. A motion to place such subject at the foot of the Calendar. Each of the foregoing motions shall be decided without debate and shall have precedence in the order above named, and may be submitted as in the nature and with all the rights of questions Of Order. [Jefferson's Manual, Sees. XIV, XXXIII. 1 Agreed to. Forty-eighth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 442, March 19, 1884. Standing Rules of the Senate. 13 RULE X. SPECIAL ORDERS. i. An}' subject may, by a vote of two-thirds of the Senators present, be made a special order ; and when the time so fixed for its consideration arrives the Presiding Officer shall lay it before the Senate, unless there be unfinished business of the preceding day, and if it is not finally disposed of on that day it shall take its place on the Calendar of Special Orders in the order of time at which it was made special, unless it shall become by adjourn- ment the Unfinished business. [Jefferson's Manual, Sees. XVIII, XXXIII. 2. When two or more special orders have been made for the same time, the}- shall have precedence according to the order in which they were severally assigned, and that order shall only be changed by direction of the Senate. *And all motions to change such order, or to proceed to the consideration of other business, shall be decided without debate. [Jefferson's Manual, Sees. XVIII, XXXIII. RULE XI. OBJECTION TO READING A PAPER. When the reading of a paper is called for, and objected to, it shall be determined by a vote of the Senate, without debate. Uefferson's Manual, Sec. XXXII. RULE XII. VOTING, ETC. i. When the yeas and nays are ordered, the names of Sen- ators shall be called alphabetically ; and each Senator shall, without debate, declare his assent or dissent to the question, unless excused by the Senate ; and no Senator shall be ' per- mitted to vote after the decision shall have been announced by the Presiding Officer, but may for sufficient reasons, with unani- 1 Agreed to. Forty-eighth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, pages 431, 442, March 17, 19, 1884. 14 Standing Rules of the Senate. mous consent, change or withdraw his vote. No motion to suspend this rule shall be in order, nor shall the Presiding Offi- cer entertain any request to suspend it by unanimous consent. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XI,I. 2. When a Senator declines to vote on call of his name, he shall be required to assign his reasons therefor, and having assigned them, the Presiding Officer shall submit the question to the Senate: "Shall the Senator, for the reasons assigned by him, be excused from voting?" which shall be decided without debate; and these proceedings shall be had after the roll call and before the result is announced; and any further. proceedings in reference thereto shall be after such announcement. [Jefferson's Manual, Sees. XVII, XU. *3. No request by a Senator for unanimous consent for the taking of a final vote on a specified date upon the passage of a bill or joint resolution shall be submitted to the Senate for agreement thereto until, upon a roll call ordered for the pur- pose by the presiding officer, it shall be disclosed that a quorum of the Senate is present; and when a unanimous consent is thus given the same shall operate as the order of the Senate, but any unanimous consent may be revoked hy another unanimous consent granted in the manner prescribed above upon one da5^'s notice. RULE XIII. RECONSIDERATION. i. When a question has been decided b}^ the Senate, any Senator voting with the prevailing side may, on the same day or on either of the next two da}^s of actual session thereafter, move a reconsideration; and if the Senate shall refuse to recon- sider, or upon reconsideration shall affirm its first decision, no further motion to reconsider shall be in order unless by unani- 1 Agreed to. Sixty-third Congress, second session. Senate Journal, page 74, January 16, 1914. Congressional Record, pages 1759, 1760. Standing Rules of the Senate, 15 mous consent. Every motion to reconsider shall be decided by a majority vote, 1 and may be laid on the table without affecting the question in reference to which the same is made, which shall be a final disposition of the motion. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. Xlylll. 2. When a bill, resolution, report, amendment, order, or mes- sage, upon which a vote has been taken, shall have gone out of the possession of the Senate and been communicated to the House of Representatives, the motion to reconsider shall be accompanied by a motion to request the House to return the same; which last motion shall be acted upon immediately, and without debate, and if determined in the negative shall be a final disposition of the motion to reconsider. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XUII. RULE XIV. BILLS, JOINT RESOLUTIONS, AND RESOLUTIONS. i. Whenever a bill or joint resolution shall be offered, its introduction shall, if objected to, be postponed for one day. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XXIII. 2. Every bill and joint resolution shall receive three readings previous to its passage, which readings shall be on three differ- ent days, unless the Senate unanimously direct otherwise; and the Presiding Officer shall give notice at each reading whether it be the first, second, or third: 2 Provided, That the first or sec- ond reading of each bill may be by title only, unless the Senate in any Case Shall Otherwise Order. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XXII. 3. No bill or joint resolution shall be committed or amended until it shall have been twice read, after which it may be re- ferred to a committee; bills and joint resolutions introduced on 1 In original copy of rules of January 11, 1884, the motion to reconsider was "without debate," words stricken out. Forty-ninth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 945, June 21, 1886. 2 Agreed to. Sixty-third Congress, second session. Senate Journal, page 71, January 14, 19 14. Congressional Record, page 1633. 89952°— 17 3 1 6 Standing Rules of the Senate. leave, and bills and joint resolutions from the House of Repre- sentatives, shall be read once, and may be read twice, on the same day, if not objected to, for reference, but shall not be con- sidered on that day as in Committee of the Whole, nor debated, except for reference, unless by unanimous consent. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XXV. 4. Every bill and joint resolution reported from a committee, not having previously been read, shall be read once, and twice, if not objected to, 011 the same day, and placed on the Calendar in the order in which the same may be reported; and every bill and joint resolution introduced on leave, and every bill and joint resolution of the House of Representatives which shall have received a first and second reading without being referred to a committee, shall, if objection be made to further proceeding thereon, be placed on the Calendar. [Jefferson's Manual, sec. xxv. 5. All resolutions shall lie over one day for consideration, unless by unanimous consent the Senate shall otherwise direct. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XXV. RULE XV. BILLS — COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. i. All bills and joint resolutions which shall have received two readings shall first be considered by the Senate as in Com- mittee of the Whole, after which the3 T shall be reported to the Senate; and any amendments made in Committee of the Whole shall again be considered by the Senate, after which further amendments may be proposed. [Jefferson's Manual, sees, xxvi, xxx. 2 . When a bill or resolution shall have been ordered to be read a third time, it shall not be in order to propose amendments, NoTE.— Resolved, That no communications from heads of Depart- ments, Commissioners, Chiefs of Bureaus, or other executive officers, except when authorized or required by law, or when made in response to a resolution of the Senate, will be received by the Senate unless such communications shall be transmitted to the Senate by the President. [Senate Jour., i sess., 60 Cong., p. 122, Jan. 16, 190S Sta?iding Rules of the Senate. 17 unless by unanimous consent, but it shall be in order at any time before the passage of any bill or resolution to move its commit- ment; and when the bill or resolution shall again be reported from the committee it shall be placed on the Calendar, and when again considered by the Senate it shall be as in Commit- tee Of the Whole. [Jefferson's Manual, Sees. XXVI, XXX. 3. Whenever a private bill is under consideration, it shall be in order to move, as a substitute for it, a resolution of the Sen- ate referring the case to the Court of Claims, under the provi- sions of the act approved March 3, 1883. RULE XVI. AMENDMENTS TO APPROPRIATION BILLS. I. All general appropriation bills shall be referred to the Com- mittee on Appropriations, except * the following bills, which shall be severally referred as herein indicated, namely: The bill mak- ing appropriations for rivers and harbors, to the Committee on Commerce; 1 the agricultural bill, to the Committee on Agricul- ture and Forestry; the Army and the Military Academy bills, to the Committee on Military Affairs; the Indian bill, to the Committee on Indian Affairs; the naval bill, to the Committee on Naval Affairs; the pension bill, to the Committee on Pen- sions; the Post-Office bill, to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post- Roads; and no amendments shall be received to any gen- eral appropriation bill the effect of which will be to increase an appropriation already contained in the bill, or to add a new item of appropriation, unless it be made to carry out the provisions of some existing law, or treaty stipulation, or act, or resolution previously passed by the Senate during that session; or unless the same be moved by direction of a standing or select committee of the Senate, or proposed in pursuance of an estimate of the head Of SOme One Of the departments. [Jefferson's Manual, See. XXXV. Amendment agreed to. Fifty-fifth Congress, third session. Senate Journal, page 86, January 28, 1899. 1 8 Standing Rules of the Senate. 2. All amendments to general appropriation bills moved by direction of a standing or select committee of the Senate, pro- posing to increase an appropriation already contained in the bill, or to add new items of appropriation, shall, at least one day before they are considered, be referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and when actually proposed to the bill no amend- ment proposing to increase the amount stated in such amend- ment shall be received; in like manner, amendments proposing new items of appropriation to river and harbor bills shall, before being considered, be referred to the Committee on Commerce; also amendments to bills establishing post-roads, or proposing new post-roads, shall, before being considered, be referred to the Com- mittee On PoSt-OfficeS and Post-Roads. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XXXV. 3. No amendment which proposes general legislation shall be received to any general appropriation bill, nor shall any amend- ment not germane or relevant to the subject-matter contained in the bill be received; nor shall any amendment to any item or clause of such bill be received which does not directly relate thereto; and all questions of relevancy of amendments under this rule, when raised, shall be submitted to the Senate and be decided without debate; and any amendment to a general appro- priation bill may be laid on the table without prejudice to the bill. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XXXV. 4. No amendment, the object of which is to provide for a private claim, shall be received to any general appropriation bill, unless it be to carry out the provisions of an existing law or a treaty stipulation, which shall be cited on the face of the amendment. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XXXV. RULE XVII. AMENDMENT MAY BE LAID ON THE TABLE WITHOUT PREJU- DICE TO THE BILD. When an amendment proposed to any pending measure is laid on the table, it shall not carry with it, or prejudice, such measure. Standing Rules of the Senate. 19 RULE XVIII. AMENDMENTS — DIVISION OF A QUESTION. If the question in debate contains several propositions, any Senator may have the same divided, except a motion to strike out and insert, which shall not be divided; but the rejection of a motion to strike out and insert one proposition shall not pre- vent a motion to strike out and insert a different proposition; nor shall it prevent a motion simply to strike out; nor shall the rejection of a motion to strike out prevent a motion to strike out and insert. But pending a motion to strike out and insert, the part to be stricken out and the part to be inserted shall each be regarded for the purpose of amendment as a question; and motions to amend the part to be stricken out shall have precedence. [Jefferson's Manual, Sees. XXXV, XXXVI. RULE XIX. DEBATE. i. When a Senator desires to speak, he shall rise and address the Presiding Officer, and shall not proceed until he is recognized, and the Presiding Officer shall recognize the Senator who shall first address him. No Senator shall interrupt another Senator in debate without his consent, and to obtain such consent he shall first address the Presiding Officer; and no Senator shall speak more than twice upon any one question in debate on the same day without leave of the Senate, which shall be determined Without debate. [Jefferson's Manual, Sees. XVII, XXXIX. x 2. No Senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XVII. *3. No Senator in debate shall refer offensively to any State of the Union. 1 Adopted. Fifty-seventh Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 301, April 8, 1902. 20 Staiiding Rules of the Senate. 4. If any Senator, in speaking or otherwise, transgress the rules of the Senate, the Presiding Officer shall, or any Senator may, call him to order; and when a Senator shall be called to order he shall sit down, and not proceed without leave of the Senate, which, if granted, shall he upon motion that he be allowed to proceed in order, which motion shall be determined without debate. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XVII. 5. If a Senator be called to order for words spoken in debate, upon the demand of the Senator or of any other Senator the exceptionable words shall be taken down in writing, and read at the table for the information of the Senate. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XVII. x 6. Whenever confusion arises in the Chamber or the gal- leries, or demonstrations of approval or disapproval are indulged in by the occupants of the galleries, it shall be the duty of the Chair to enforce order on his own initiative and without any point of order being made by a Senator. RULE XX. QUESTIONS OF ORDER. i . A question of order may be raised at any stage of the pro- ceedings, except when the Senate is dividing, and, unless sub- mitted to the Senate, shall be decided by the Presiding Officer without debate, subject to an appeal to the Senate. When an appeal is taken, any subsequent question of order which may arise before the decision of such appeal shall be decided by the Presiding Officer without debate; and every appeal therefrom shall be decided at once, and without debate; and any appeal may be laid on the table without prejudice to the pending propo- sition, and thereupon shall be held as affirming the decision of the Presiding Officer. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XXXIII. 2. The Presiding Officer may submit any question of order for the decision of the Senate. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XXXIII. Agreed to. Sixty-third Congress, second session. Senate Journal, page 71, January 14, 1914. Congressional Record, page 1633. Standing Rules of the Senate. 21 RULE XXI. MOTIONS. i . All motions shall be reduced to writing, if desired by the Presiding Officer or by any Senator, and shall be read before the Same Shall be debated. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XX. 2. Any motion or resolution may be withdrawn or modified by the mover at any time before a decision, amendment, or ordering of the yeas and nays, except a motion to reconsider, which shall not be withdrawn without leave. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XX. RULE XXII. PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS. When a question is pending, no motion shall be received but — To adjourn. To adjourn to a day certain, or that when the Senate adjourn it shall be to a day certain. To take a recess. To proceed to the consideration of executive business. To lay on the table. To postpone indefinitely. To postpone to a day certain. To commit. To amend. Which several motions shall have precedence as they stand arranged; and the motions relating to adjournment, to take a recess, to proceed to the consideration of executive business, to lay on the table, shall be decided without debate. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XXXIII. 1 If at any time a motion, signed by sixteen Senators, to bring to a close the debate upon any pending measure is presented to the Senate, the presiding officer shall at once state the motion Agreed to. Sixty-fifth Congress, special session of the Senate, March 8, 191 7, Congressional Record, page 48. 22 Standing Rules of the Senate. to the Senate, and one hour after the Senate meets on the fol- lowing calendar day but one, he shall lay the motion before the Senate and direct that the Secretary call the roll, and, upon the ascertainment that a quorum is present, the presiding officer shall, without debate, submit to the Senate by an aye-and-nay vote the question : " Is it the sense of the Senate that the debate shall be brought to a close?" And if that question shall be decided in the affirmative by a two-thirds vote of those voting, then said measure shall be the unfinished business to the exclusion of all other business until disposed of. Thereafter no Senator shall be entitled to speak in all more than one hour on the pending measure, the amendments thereto, and motions affecting the same, and it shall be the duty of the presiding officer to keep the time of each Senator who speaks. Except by unanimous consent, no amendment shall be in order after the vote to bring the debate to a close, unless the same has been presented and read prior to that time. No dilatory motion, or dilatory amendment, or amendment not germane shall be in order. Points of order, including questions of relevancy, and appeals from the decision of the presiding officer, shall be decided without debate. RULE XXIII. PREAMBLES. When a bill or resolution is accompanied by a preamble, the question shall first be put on the bill or resolution and then on the preamble, which may be withdrawn by a mover before an amendment of the same, or ordering of the yeas and nays; or Standing Rules of the Senate. 23 it may be laid on the table without prejudice to the bill or reso- lution, and shall be a final disposition of such preamble. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XXVI. RULE XXIV. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. i . In the appointment of the standing committees, the Senate, unless otherwise ordered, shall proceed by ballot to appoint sev- erally the chairman of each committee, and then, by one ballot, the other members necessary to complete the same. A majority of the whole number of votes given shall be necessan- to the choice of a chairman of a standing committee, but a plurality of votes shall elect the other members thereof. All other com- mittees shall be appointed by ballot, unless otherwise ordered, and a plurality Of VOteS shall appoint. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XI 2. When a chairman of a committee shall resign or cease to serve on a committee, and the Presiding Officer be authorized by the Senate to fill the vacancy in such committee, unless specially otherwise ordered, it shall be only to fill up the number on the committee. RULE XXV. x STANDING COMMITTEES. [Committees appointed every two years. L,ast change March 15, 1913.] i . The following standing committees shall be appointed at the commencement of each Congress, with leave to report by bill or otherwise: *As amended by Senate resolution of March 15, 1913, Sixty-third Con- gress, session specially called. Senate Journal, pages 311-314, Sixty-second Congress, third session. Previously amended May 26, 1896, Fifty-fourth Congress, first session, Senate Journal, page 351; Sixtieth Congress, first session, Senate Journal, pages 79-81, December 17, 1907; Sixty -first Congress, first session, Senate Journal, pages 14, 15, March 22, 1909; Sixty-second Congress, first ses- sion, Senate Journal, pages 41, 42, 44, April 27, 28, 191 1. 89952°— 17- 4 24 Standing Rules of the Senate. A Committee on Additional Accommodations for the Library of Congress, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Agriculture and Forestry,, to consist of sixteen Senators. A Committee on Appropriations, to consist of seventeen Senators. A Committee to Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses of the Senate, to consist of five Senators, to which shall be referred all resolutions directing the payment of money out of the con- tingent fund of the Senate or creating a charge upon the same. A Committee on Banking and Currency, to consist of twelve Senators. A Committee on Canadian Relations, to consist of nine Senators. A Committee on the Census, to consist of twelve Senators. A Committee on Civil Service and Retrenchment, to consist of twelve Senators. A Committee on Claims, to consist of fifteen Senators. A Committee on Coast and Insular Survey, to consist of nine Senators. A Committee on Coast Defenses, to consist of eleven Senators. A Committee on Commerce, to consist of seventeen Senators. A Committee on Conservation of National Resources, to con- sist of fifteen Senators. A Committee on Corporations Organized in the District of Columbia, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Cuban Relations, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Disposition of Useless Papers in the Execu- tive Departments, to consist of three Senators. A Committee on the District of Columbia, to consist of four- teen Senators. Standing Rides of the Senate. 2 5 A Committee on Education and L,abor, to consist of eleven Senators. A Committee on Engrossed Bills, to consist of three Senators, which shall examine all bills, amendments, and joint resolutions before they go out of the possession of the Senate. A Committee on Enrolled Bills, to consist of three Senators,, which shall have power to act jointly with the same committee of the House of Representatives, and which, or some one of which, shall examine all bills or joint resolutions which shall have passed both Houses, to see that the same are correctly enrolled, and, when signed by the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, shall forthwith present the same, when they shall have originated in the Senate, to the President of the United States in person, and report the fact and date of such presentation to the Senate. A Committee to Examine the Several Branches of the Civil Service, to consist of seven Senators. A Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Agricul- ture, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Com- merce, 1 to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Expenditures in the Interior Department, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Justice, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Labor, 2 to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Expenditures in the Navy Department, to consist of five Senators. Senate Resolution of June 25, 1914. Senate Journal, page 357, Sixty- third Congress, second session. 2 Provided for by Senate resolution, June 25, 1914, Sixty-third Congress, second session. Senate Journal, page 357. 2 ^ Standing Rules of the Senate. A Committee on Expenditures in the Post-Office Department, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Expenditures in the Department of State, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury Department, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Expenditures in the War Department, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Finance, to consist of seventeen Senators. A Committee on Fisheries, to consist of nine Senators, to which shall be referred all matters relating to fish and fisheries. A Committee on the Five Civilized Tribes of Indians, to con- sist of five Senators. A Committee on Foreign Relations, to consist of seventeen Senators. A Committee on Forest Reservations and the Protection of Game, to consist of nine Senators. A Committee on the Geological Survey, to consist of seven Senators. 1 A Committee on Immigration, to consist of thirteen Senators. A Committee on Indian Affairs, to consist of fifteen Senators. 2 A Committee on Indian Depredations, to consist of eleven Senators. A Committee on Industrial Expositions, to consist of thirteen Senators. A Committee on Interoceanic Canals, to consist of fourteen Senators. A Committee on Interstate Commerce, to consist of sixteen Senators. 1 Created. Fifty-first Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 39, December 12, 1889. 2 Created as select. Fifty-first Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 39, December 12, 1889. Standing Rules of the Senate. 2 7 A Committee to Investigate Trespassers on Indian Lands, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation of Arid Lands, to consist of thirteen Senators. A Joint Committee on the Revision of the Laws of the United States, to consist of four Senators. A Committee on the Judiciary, to consist of eighteen Senators. A Committee on the Library, to consist of eight Senators, which shall have power to act jointly with the same committee of the House of Representatives. A Committee on Manufactures, to consist of eleven Senators. A Committee on Militarj^ Affairs, to consist of sixteen Sena- tors. A Committee on Mines and Mining, to consist of ten Senators. A Committee on the Mississippi River and its Tributaries, to consist of seven Senators. A Committee on National Banks, 1 to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Naval Affairs, to consist of sixteen 2 Senators. A Committee on Pacific Islands and Porto Rico, to consist of twelve Senators. A Committee on Pacific Railroads, to consist of ten Senators. A Committee on Patents, to consist of seven Senators. A Committee on Pensions, to consist of thirteen Senators. A Committee on the Philippines, to consist of fourteen Sena- tors. A Committee on Post- Offices and Post- Roads, to consist of sixteen Senators. 1 Provided for by Senate resolution of April 29, 1912, Sixty-second Congress, second session. Senate Journal, page 306. 2 Amendment agreed to increasing the membership from fifteen to six- teen. Senate Journal, page 149, Sixty-third Congress, second session, March 2, 1914. Congressional Record, page 4134. 2 8 Standing Rides of the Senate. A Committee on Printing, to consist of eight Senators, which shall have power to act jointly with the same committee of the House of Representatives. A Committee on Private Land Claims, to consist of seven Senators. A Committee on Privileges and Elections, to consist of fifteen Senators. A Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, to consist of sixteen Senators, which shall have power to act jointly with the same committee of the House of Representatives. A Committee on Public Health and National Quarantine, to consist of eleven Senators. A Committee on Public Lands, to consist of fifteen Senators. A Committee on Railroads, to consist of eleven Senators. A Committee on Revolutionary Claims, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on Rules, to consist of ten Senators. A Committee on Standards, Weights, and Measures, to con- sist of five Senators. A Committee on Territories, to consist of twelve Senators. A Committee on Transportation Routes to the Seaboard, to consist of nine Senators. A Committee on Transportation and Sale of Meat Products, to consist of five Senators. A Committee on the University of the United States, to con- sist of eleven Senators. A Committee on Woman Suffrage, to consist of nine Senators. 2 . The Committees to Audit and Control the Contingent Ex- penses of the Senate, on Printing, and on the Library, shall continue and have the power to act until their successors are appointed. Standing Rules of the Senate. 2 9 QUORUM OF COMMITTEES. x 3. That the several standing committees of the Senate having a membership of more than three Senators are hereby respectively authorized to fix, each for itself, the number of its members who shall constitute a quorum thereof for the trans- action of such business as ma) T be considered b} T said committee; but in no case shall a committee, acting under authority of this resolution, fix as a quorum thereof any number less than one- third of its entire membership, nor shall any report be made to the Senate that is not authorized by the concurrence of more than one-half of a majority of such entire membership. RULE XXVI. REFERENCE TO COMMITTEES; MOTIONS TO DISCHARGE, AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEES TO LIE OVER. i. When motions are made for reference of a subject to a select committee, or to a standing committee, the question of reference to a standing committee shall be put first; and a motion simply to refer shall not be open to amendment, except tO add instructions. [Jefferson's Manual, Sees. XXVI, XXXIII. 2. All reports of committees and motions to discharge a com- mittee from the consideration of the subject, and all subjects from which a committee shall be discharged, shall lie over one day for consideration, unless by unanimous consent the Senate shall Otherwise direct. [Jefferson's Manual, Sees. XXVII, XIJII. RULE XXVII. REPORTS OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEES. The presentation of reports of committees of conference shall always be in order, except when the Journal is being read or a question of order or a motion to adjourn is pending, or while the 1 Agreed to. Sixty-second Congress, second session. Journal, page 271. Congressional Record, page 4624, April 12, 191 2. 3° Standing- Rules of the Senate. Senate is dividing; and when received the question of proceeding to the consideration of the report, if raised, shall be immediately put, and shall be determined without debate. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XI, VI. RUEE XXVIII. MESSAGES. i . Messages from the President of the United States or from the House of Representatives may be received at any stage of proceedings, except while the Senate is dividing, or while the Journal is being read, or while a question of order or a motion tO adjourn is pending. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XI, VII. 2. Messages shall be sent to the House of Representatives by the Secretary, who shall previously certify the determination of the Senate upon all bills, joint resolutions, and other resolutions which may be communicated to the House, or in which its con- currence may be requested; and the Secretary shall also certify and deliver to the President of the United States all resolutions and other communications which may be directed to him by the Senate. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XI, VII. RULE XXIX. PRINTING OF PAPERS, ETC. i. Every motion to print documents, reports, and other matter transmitted by either of the Executive Departments, or to print memorials, petitions, accompanying documents, or any other paper, except bills of the Senate or House of Representatives, resolutions submitted by a Senator, communications from the legislatures or conventions, lawfully called, of the respective States, and motions to print by order of the standing or select committees of the Senate, shall, unless the Senate otherwise order, be referred to the Committee on Printing. When a mo- tion is made to commit with instructions, it shall be in order to add thereto a motion to print. Standi7ig Rales of the Senate. 3 1 2. Motions to print additional numbers shall also be referred to the Committee on Printing; and when the committee shall report favorably, the report shall be accompanied hy an estimate of the probable cost thereof; and when the cost of printing such additional numbers shall exceed the sum of five hundred dollars, the concurrence of the House of Representatives shall be necessary for an order to print the same. 3. Every bill and joint resolution introduced on leave or reported from a committee, and all bills and joint resolutions received from the House of Representatives, and all reports of committees, shall be printed, unless, for the dispatch of the business of the Senate, such printing may be dispensed with. RULE XXX. WITHDRAWAL OF PAPERS. 1. No memorial or other paper presented to the Senate, except original treaties finally acted upon, shall be withdrawn from its files except by order of the Senate. But when an act may pass for the settlement of any private claim, the Secretary is authorized to transmit to the officer charged with the settle- ment the papers on file relating to the claim. 2. No memorial or other paper upon which an adverse report has been made shall be withdrawn from the files of the Senate unless copies thereof shall be left in the office of the Secretary. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XVI. RULE XXXI. REFERENCE OF CLAIMS ADVERSELY REPORTED. Whenever a committee of the Senate, to whom any claim has been referred, reports adversely, and the report is agreed to, it shall not be in order to move to take the papers from the files for the purpose of referring them at a subsequent session, un- less the claimant shall present a petition therefor, stating that 89952°— 17 5 3 2 Standi?ig Rules of the Senate. new evidence has been discovered since the report, and setting forth the substance of such new evidence. l But when there has been no adverse report it shall be the duty of the Secretary to transmit all such papers to the committee in which such claims are pending. RULE XXXII. BUSINESS CONTINUED FROM SESSION TO SESSION. At the second or any subsequent session of a Congress, the legislative business of the Senate which remained undetermined at the close of the next preceding session of that Congress shall be resumed and proceeded with in the same manner as if no adjournment of the Senate had taken place; and all papers referred to committees and not reported upon at the close of a session of Congress shall be returned to the office of the Secre- tary of the Senate, and be retained hy him until the next suc- ceeding session of that Congress, when they shall be returned to the several committees to which they had previously been referred. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. 1,1. RULE XXXIII. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR. 2 No person shall be admitted to the floor of the Senate while in session, except as follows: The President of the United States and his private secretary. 3 The President elect and Vice-President elect of the United States. Ex-Presidents and ex- Vice- Presidents of the United States. 1 Agreed to. Fiftieth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 67, December 14, 1887. 2 Amended, adopting a new rule. Fifty -second Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 30, December 14, 189 1. Fifty fourth Congress, first session, Senate Journal, page 351, May 26, 1896. 3 Agreed to. Fiftieth Congress, second session. Senate Journal , page 1 13 , January 4, 1889. Standing Rules of the Senate, 33 judges of the Supreme Court. Ex-Senators and Senators elect. The officers and employees of the Senate in the discharge of their official duties. 1 Ex-Secretaries and ex-Sergeants-at-Arms of the Senate. 2 Members of the House of Representatives and Members elect. 3 Ex-Speakers of the House of Representatives. The Sergeant-at-Arms of the House and his chief deputy and the Clerk of the House and his deputy. Heads of the Executive Departments. Embassadors and Ministers of the United States. Governors of States and Territories. The General Commanding the Arm}-. The Senior Admiral of the Navy on the active list. Members of National Legislatures of foreign countries. Judges of the Court of Claims. 5 Commissioners of the District of Columbia. The Librarian of Congress and the Assistant Librarian in charge of the Law Library. 6 The Architect of the Capitol. 7 The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Clerks to Senate committees and clerks to Senators when in the actual discharge of their official duties. Clerks to Senators, to be admitted to the floor, must be regularly appointed and borne upon the rolls of the Secretary of the Senate as such. Agreed to except as to ' ' ex-Sergeant-at-Arms. ' ' Fifty-third Congress, third session. Senate Journal, page 75, January 28, 1895. 2 Construed to mean, "and members elect. " Forty-eighth Congress, sec- ond session. Senate Journal, page 418, February 28, 1885. 3 Fiftieth Congress, first session. Senate Journal , page 1173, July 25 , 1888. 4 Amended, adopting a new rule. Fifty-second Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 30, December 14, 1891. Fifty-fourth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 351, May 26, 1896. 5 Inserted, Forty-eighth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 762, June 13, 1884. 6 Amended by omitting ' ' Extension, " Forty-eighth Congress, first session. Senate Journal page 565. April 22, 1884. 7 Inserted, Forty-eighth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 565, April 22, 1884. 34 Standing Rules of the Senate. RULE XXXIV. REGULATION OF THE SENATE WING OE THE CAPITOL. i. The Senate Chamber shall not 'be granted for any other purpose than for the use of the Senate; 1 no smoking shall be permitted at any time on the floor of the Senate, or lighted cigars be brought into the Chamber. 2. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Rules to make all rules and regulations respecting such parts of the Capitol, its passages and galleries, including the restaurant, as are or may be set apart for the use of the Senate and its officers, to be enforced under the direction of the Presiding Oflicer. They shall, at the opening of each session of Congress, make such regulations respecting the reporters' gallery of the Senate as will confine its occupation to bona fide reporters for daily newspapers, assigning not to exceed one seat to each paper. RULE XXXV. SESSION WITH CLOSED DOORS. On a motion made and seconded to close the doors of the Senate, on the discussion of any business which may, in the opinion of a Senator, require secrecy, the Presiding Oflicer shall direct the galleries to be cleared; and during the discussion of such motion the doors shall remain closed. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. XVIII. RULE XXXVI. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS. i. When the President of the United States shall meet the Senate in the Senate Chamber for the consideration of Execu- tive business, he shall have a seat on the right of the Presiding Officer. When the Senate shall be convened by the President 3 Agreed to. Senate Journal, page 163, Sixty -third Congress, second session, March 9, 1914. Congressional Record, page 4532. Standing Rules of the Senate. 35 of the United States to any other place, the Presiding Officer of the Senate and the Senators shall attend at the place appointed, with the necessary officers of the Senate. 1 2. When acting upon confidential or Executive business, 2 unless the same shall be considered in open Executive session, the Senate Chamber shall be cleared of all persons except the Secretary, the Chief Clerk, the Principal Legislative Clerk, the Executive Clerk, the Minute and Journal Clerk, the Sergeant- at-Arms, the Assistant Doorkeeper, and such other officers as the Presiding Officer shall think necessary; and all such offi- cers shall be sworn to secrecy. 3 3. All confidential communications made by the President of the United States to the Senate shall be by the Senators and the officers of the Senate kept secret; and all treaties which may be laid before the Senate, and all remarks, votes, and proceedings 1 In Executive session, May 2, 1892, Senate Journal, page 225, Ex. Sess.: Resolved, That until otherwise ordered there shall be admitted to the floor of the Senate during Executive sessions such clerks, not exceeding three in number, as may be assigned by the Secretary of the Senate to Executive duties. 2 Line 2 of clause 2 agreed to. Fiftieth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 428, March 6, 1888. 3 In Executive session specially called March 21, 1885: Ordered, That the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following report from the Committee on Rules, viz: The Committee on Rules, to which was referred a question of order raised by the Senator from Maine (Mr. Frye) as to the operation of clause 3, Rule XXXVI, reported that it extends the injunction of secrecy to each step in the consideration of treaties, including the fact of ratification; that no modification of this clause of the rules ought to be made; that the secrecy as to the fact of ratification of a treaty may be of the utmost importance, and ought not to be removed except by order of the Senate, or until it has been made public by proclamation by the President. [Senate Jour., p. 571. Appendix. In Executive session, February 8, 1900: Ordered, Whenever the injunction of secrecy shall be removed from any part of the proceedings of the Senate in Executive session, or secret legislative session, the order of the Senate removing the same shall be entered by the Secretary in the Legislative Journal as well as in the Executive Journal, and shall be published in the Record. 36 Standing Rules of the Senate. thereon shall also be kept secret, until the Senate shall, by their resolution, take off the injunction of secrecy, 1 or unless the same shall be considered in open Executive session. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. 1,11. 4. Any Senator or officer of the Senate who shall disclose the secret or confidential business or proceedings of the Senate shall be liable, if a Senator, to suffer expulsion from the bodj^; and if an officer, to dismissal from the service of the Senate, and to punishment for contempt. 2 5. Whenever, by the request of the Senate or any committee thereof, any documents or papers shall be communicated to the Senate by the President or the head of any Department relating to any matter pending in the Senate, the proceedings in regard to which are secret or confidential under the rules, said docu- ments and papers shall be considered as confidential, and shall not be disclosed without leave of the Senate. RULE XXXVII. EXECUTIVE SESSION — PROCEEDINGS ON TREATIES. i. When a treaty shall be laid before the Senate for ratification, it shall be read a first time; and no motion in respect to it shall be in order, except to refer it to a committee, 3 to print it in con- fidence for the use of the Senate, 3 to remove the injunction of secrecy, or to consider it in open Executive session. When a treaty is reported from a committee with or with- out amendment, it shall, unless the Senate unanimous^ other- wise direct, lie one day for consideration; after which it 1 Agreed to. Fiftieth Congress, first session. vSenate Journal, page 428, March 6, 1888. 2 Agreed to. Fifty-eighth Congress, second session. Senate Journal, page 320, March 31, 1904. s Agreed to strike out "or," line 3, clause 1, and in line 4, same clause, add "to remove the injunction of secrecy, or to consider it in open Execu- tive session." Fiftieth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 428, March 6, 1888. Standing Rales of the Senate. 37 may be read a second time and considered as in Committee of the Whole, when it shall be proceeded with by articles, and the amendments reported by the committee shall be first acted upon, after which other amendments may be proposed; and when through with, the proceedings had as in Commit- tee of the Whole shall be reported to the Senate, when the question shall be, if the treaty be amended, "Will the Sen- ate concur in the amendments made in Committee of the Whole?" And the amendments may be taken separately, or in gross, if no Senator shall object; after which new amend- ments may be proposed. 1 At any stage of such proceedings the Senate may remove the injunction of secrecy from the treaty, or proceed with its consideration in open Executive session. The decisions thus made shall be reduced to the form of a resolution of ratification, with or without amendments, as the case may be, which shall be proposed on a subsequent day, unless, by unanimous consent, the Senate determine other- wise; at w T hich stage no amendment shall be received, unless by unanimous consent. On the final question to advise and consent to the ratification in the form agreed to, the concurrence of two-thirds of the Sena- tors present shall be necessary to determine it in the affirmative; but all other motions and questions upon a treaty shall be decided by a majority vote, except a motion to postpone indefinitely, which shall be decided by a vote of two-thirds. 2. Treaties transmitted by the President to the Senate for ratification shall be resumed at the second or any subsequent session of the same Congress at the stage in which they were left at the final adjournment of the session at which they were transmitted; but all proceedings on treaties shall termi- 1 Agreed to. Fiftieth Congress, first session. Senate Journal, page 428, March 6, 1888. 3° Standing Rules of the Seyiate. nate with, the Congress, and they shall be resumed at the commencement of the next Congress as if no proceedings had previously been had thereon. - 3. All treaties concluded with Indian tribes shall be con- sidered and acted upon by the Senate in its open or legislative session, unless the same shall be transmitted by the President to the Senate in confidence, in which case they shall be acted Upon with closed doors. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. 1,11. RULE XXXVIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION— PROCEEDINGS ON NOMINATIONS. 1 i. When nominations shall be made by the President of the United States to the Senate, they shall, unless otherwise ordered, be referred to appropriate committees; and the final question on every nomination shall be, "Will the Senate advise and consent to this nomination?" which question shall not be put on the same day on which the nomination is received, nor on the day, on which it may be reported by a committee, unless by unanimous consent. 2. All information communicated or remarks made by a Senator when acting upon nominations concerning the 1 In Executive session, December 16, 1885, Senate Journal, page 1295 : Resolved, All nominations to office shall be prepared for the printer by the Official Reporter, and printed in the Record, after the proceedings of the day in which they are received, also nominations recalled, confirma- tions, and rejections. In Executive session, December 17, 1885, Ex. Sess., Journal, page 237: Ordered, The Secretary shall furnish the Official Reporters with a list of nominations to office after the proceedings of the day on which they are received, and a like list of all confirmations and rejections. In Executive session, May 2, 1894, Ex. Sess., Senate Journal, page 629: Resolved, The Secretary shall furnish to the press, and to the public upon request, the names of nominees confirmed or rejected on the day on which a final vote shall be had, except when otherwise ordered by the Senate. Standing Rules of the Senate. 39 character or qualifications of the person nominated, also all votes upon any nomination, shall be kept secret. If, how- ever, charges shall be made against a person nominated, the committee may, in its discretion, notify such nominee thereof, but the name of the person making such charges shall not be disclosed. The fact that a nomination has been made, or that it has been confirmed or rejected, shall not be regarded as a secret. 3. When a nomination is confirmed or rejected, any Senator voting in the majority may move for a reconsideration on the same day on which the vote was taken, or on either of the next two days of actual Executive session of the Senate; but if a notification of the confirmation or rejection of a nomi- nation shall have been sent to the President before the expiration of the time within which a motion to reconsider may be made, the motion to reconsider shall be accompanied by a motion to request the President to return such notifica- tion to the Senate. Any motion to reconsider the vote on a nomination may be laid on the table without prejudice to the nomination, and shall be a final disposition of such motion. 4. Nominations confirmed or rejected by the Senate shall not be returned by the Secretary to the President until the expira- tion of the time limited for making a motion to reconsider the same, or while a motion to reconsider is pending, unless other- wise ordered by the Senate. 5. When the Senate shall adjourn or take a recess for more than thirty days, all motions to reconsider a vote upon a nomi- nation which has been confirmed or rejected by the Senate, which shall be pending at the time of taking such adjourn- ment or recess, shall fall; and the Secretary shall return all such nominations to the President as confirmed or rejected by the Senate, as the case may be. A' } Standing Rules of the Senate. 6. Nominations neither confirmed nor rejected during the session at which they are made shall not be acted upon at any succeeding session without being again made to the Senate by the President; and if the Senate shall adjourn or take a recess for more than thirty days, all nominations pending and not finally acted upon at the time of taking such adjournment or recess shall be returned by the Secretary to the President, and shall not again be considered unless they shall again be made to the Senate by the President. RULE XXXIX. THE PRESIDENT FURNISHED WITH COPIES OF RECORDS OF EXECUTIVE SESSIONS. The President of the United States shall, from time to time, be furnished with an authenticated transcript of the Executive records of the Senate, but no further extract from the Exec- utive Journal shall be furnished by the Secretary, except by special order of the Senate; and no paper, except original treaties transmitted to the Senate by the President of the United States, and finalfy acted upon by the Senate, shall be delivered from the office of the Secretary without an order of the Senate for that purpose. RULE XL. SUSPENSION AND AMENDMENT OF THE RULES. No motion to suspend, modify, or amend any rule, or any part thereof, shall be in order, except on one day's notice in writing, specifying precisely the rule or part proposed to be sus- pended, modified, or amended, and the purpose thereof. Any rule may be suspended without notice by the unanimous con- sent of the Senate, except as otherwise provided in clause i, Rule XII. Standing Rules of the Senate. 41 OATHS REQUIRED BY THE CONSTITUTION AND BY LAW TO BE TAKEN UNDER RULE II. BY SENATORS. I, A B, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States. [June i, 1789, 1 stat., 23. I, A B, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, with- out any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God. [July 11, 1868, 15 Stat., 85. BY THE SECRETARY. I, A B, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States. And in addition to the foregoing he will also take the following: I, A B, Secretary of the Senate of the United States of America, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will truly and faithfully discharge the duties of my said office, to the best of my knowledge and abilities. [June 1, 1789, 1 stat., 23. INDEX TO THE STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE. A. Rule. Clause. Page. Absent himself from the service of the Senate without leave. No Senator shall be 5 1 7 Absent Senators. Less than a quorum may request or com- pel the attendance of 5 3 7 Additional numbers of a document shall be referred to the Committee on Printing. All motions to print 29 2 31 Where the cost shall exceed five hundred dollars, the concurrence of the House of Representatives shall be necessary 29 2 31 Adjourn. A motion to, shall have precedence of all other motions 22 - 21 Adjourn to a day certain shall be second in the order of pre- cedence of motions. A motion to 22 - 21 Admission to the floor of the Senate. Persons entitled to. . . 33 - 32, S3 Amendment, when proposed to any pending measure, is laid on the table, it shall not carry with it or prejudice such measure 17 - 18 When a question is pending, a motion may be made to amend 22 - 21 Amendments. When a question contains several proposi- tions, a division may be called for 18 - 19 But a motion to strike out and insert shall not be divided . 18 - 19 Rejection of a motion to strike out and insert one propo- sition shall not prevent a motion to strike out and insert a different proposition 18 - 19 Rejection of a motion to strike out and insert shall not prevent a motion simply to strike out 18 - 19 Nor shall the rejection of a motion to strike out prevent a motion to strike out and insert 18 - 19 In a motion to strike out and insert, the part to be stricken out and the part to be inserted shall each be regarded as a question for 18 - 19 It shall not be in order on the third reading of a bill to offer an amendment except by unanimous consent 15 2 16, 17 After motion is agreed to, to close debate on a pending measure, a Senator may speak one hour including 22 - 22 43 44 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. Rule. Clause. Page. Amendments to general appropriation bills. No amendment shall be received which will increase an appropriation in the bill, unless 16 I 17 No amendment adding a new item to the bill, unless to carry out existing law or treaty stipulation, or act or resolution previously passed during that session shall be received 16 1 17 Amendments moved by direction of a committee or in pursuance of an estimate of the head of a department may be received 16 1 17 All amendments moved by direction of a committee must be referred to the Committee on Appropriations one day before being offered 16 2 18 No amendment to an amendment increasing the appro- priation therein shall be received 16 2 18 Amendments to river and harbor bills shall also be re- ferred before being offered 16 2 18 Amendments to post-road bills shall also be referred be- fore being offered 16 2 18 No amendment proposing general legislation shall be received 16 3 18 No amendment not relevant or germane to the subject- matter of the bill shall be received 16 3 18 An amendment to a general appropriation bill may be laid on the table without prejudice to the bill 16 3 18 No amendment to provide for a private claim shall be received, unless to carry out existing law, etc 16 4 18 Amendments to the Rules. (See Rules. ) Amendments to treaties shall be determined by a majority vote. All questions of 37 1 37 Anthony rule. Known as the 8 - 11 Appeals, in questions of order. Every question of order de- cided by the Chair shall be subject to an appeal to the Senate 20 1 20 When an appeal is pending, any question of order or appeal that may afterwards arise shall be decided with- out debate 20 1 20 If an appeal be laid on the table, it shall be held as affirm- ing the decision of the Chair 20 1 20 Appeals from decision of the Chair. Where a motion to close debate on a pending measure has been agreed to, to be decided without debate 22 - 22 Appropriation bills. (See General appropriation bills. ) Attendance of absent Senators. The Sergeant-at-Arms may be directed to request, and. when necessary, compel the 5 3 7 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 45 B. Rule. Clause. Pajre. Ballot. The chairman and members of the standing commit- tees shall be appointed by 24 1 23 A majority shall choose a chairman and a plurality the other members of a standing committee 24 1 23 Bills and joint resolutions. Order in which the Chair shall call for, under ' ' morning business " 7 1 9 Manner of introduction of pension bills, bills for the payment of private claims, or for the correction of naval or military records 7 2 9 Bills or other matter sent to the Senate by the President or House of Representatives may at any time be laid before the Senate by the Presiding Officer or upon motion ... 76 11 Bills and resolutions, not objected to, to be taken up in their order 8 - 11 To proceed to the consideration of, on the Calendar out of regular order, a privileged motion 9 - 12 Whenever offered, their introduction shall, if objected to, be postponed for one day 14 1 15 When presented may be postponed one day unless by unanimous consent 14 1 15 Shall have three several readings before passage, which shall be on three different days unless by unanimous consent 14 2 15 May read the first and second times by title only unless. 14 2 15 May be read twice on the same day for reference only. . . 14 3 15, 16 If. not referred, they shall not be considered as in Com- mittee of the Whole, nor debated if objected to, but shall go on the Calendar 14 4 16 All bills and joint resolutions reported from a committee shall also go on the Calendar. 14 4 16 Before amendment shall be considered as in Committte of the Whole 15 1 16 When ordered to a third reading they shall not be open to amendment unless by unanimous consent 15 2 16, 17 But may be committed before the question is put upon the passage 15 2 17 If committed when reported shall again go on the Calen- dar as bills in Committee of the Whole 15 2 17 May be accompanied by a preamble, which may be with- drawn, or laid on the table 23 - 22, 23 Enrolled, may be signed by Senator designated by Presi- dent pro tempore to perform duties of the Chair (Note. ) 6 46 Index to the Standing Rules of the Se?iate. Rule. Clause. Pag*. Bills and joint resolutions. Motion signed by sixteen Sena- tors to close debate on, and other measures 22 - 21 Decided by a two-thirds vote, without debate 22 - 22 Bills. General appropriation bills. All general appro- priation bills shall be referred to the Committee on Appropriations, except river and harbor, agricul- tural, Army, Military Academy, Indian, naval, pension, and Post Office 16 1 17 Limitations to amendments which may be proposed to . 16 1-4 17,18 Amendments proposing new items of appropriation shall before being offered be referred 16 2 18 No amendment proposing general legislation shall be proposed to any general appropriation bill 16 3 18 No amendment to provide for a private claim shall be offered unless to carry out existing law 16 4 18 Bills, private, may be referred to the Court of Claims 15 3 17 Business. Order of morning 7 1 9 Business of the Senate continued from session to session. The legislative 32 - 32 C. Calendar of general orders. At the expiration of the morning business, the Senate shall take up the .... 8, 9 - 11-12 Subjects on the Calendar to be taken up in their order . 8, 9 - 11-12 Every bill and joint resolution reported from a com- mittee, and bills and joint resolutions from the House of Representatives, read twice but not re- ferred, shall be placed on the 14 4 16 To proceed to the consideration of an appropriation or revenue bill on the, out of its order a privileged motion 9 - 12 To proceed to the consideration of any other bill on the, out of its order, a privileged motion . 9 - 12 To pass over the pending subject on the, a privileged motion 9 - 12 To place pending subject at the foot of the, a privileged motion 9 - 12 Call of the Senate . When a question is raised as to the presence of a quorum, the Chair shall direct the roll to be called 5 2 7 Capitol building. The Senate wing of the Capitol build- ing, its corridors and passages, to be under the con- trol of the Committee on Rules 34 2 34 Certificates of election of Senators. To be recorded in well- bound book 6 2 8 Form of 6 - 8 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 47 Rale. Clause. Page. Chief Clerk, when to perform duties of the Chair 1 2 5 Claims rejected by the Senate can not be again referred un- less new evidence be presented 31 - 31, 32 Adversely reported on can not be withdrawn without leaving copies 30 2 31 The papers may be sent to the proper officer by the Sec- retary. Where acts have passed for private 30 1 31 Papers in relation to, to be transmitted by Secretary of Senate to committee having claim under consideration. 31 - 32 After adverse report agreed to papers can not be with- drawn from Senate files to be referred unless on new evidence 31 - 31, 32 Close debate, motion to, to be signed by sixteen Senators 22 - 21 To be decided by a two-thirds vote without debate 22 - 22 After vote to, a Senator may speak one hour 22 - 22 Closed doors. On the discussion of a subject which may re- quire secrecy, the galleries shall be cleared and the doors closed 35 - 34 Commit. After the third reading and before the passage of a bill a motion may be made to 15 2 17 "When a question is pending, the order stated in which a motion may be made to 22 - 21 A motion to, not open to amendment except to add in- structions 26 1 29 Committee of the Whole. All bills and joint resolutions shall, before passage, be first considered as in 15 1 16 When a bill is recommitted and again reported, it shall be again considered as in 15 2 17 Treaties when acted upon in executive session shall be first considered as in 37 1 37 Committee on Rules, to have control of Senate wing of the Capitol building, its corridors, etc 34 2 34 Committees. Order in which the Chair shall call for reports of . 7 1 9 The standing committees, unless otherwise ordered, shall be appointed by ballot 24 1 23 A majority of votes necessary to the choice of a chairman. 24 1 23 Select committees and the residue of the standing com- mittees may be chosen by a plurality 24 1 23 Vacancies in committees when filled shall be only to fill up the number of members 24 2 23 Enumeration of the standing committees to be appointed at the -commencement of each Congress 25 1 23-28 A motion to refer to a standing committee shall take pre- cedence of a motion to refer to a select committee .... 26 1 29 48 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. Rule. Clause. Page. Committees. A motion to refer shall not be open to amend- ment, except to add instructions 26 1 29 All reports of committees shall lie one day for consider- ation 26 2 29 Quorum of, when composed of more than three Senators, the committee to fix number to constitute a 25 3 29 To Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses of the Senate, on Printing, and on the Library, shall con- tinue and have power to act until their successors are appointed 25 2 28 Committees of conference . Reports of committees of confer- ence shall be always in order, except, etc., and the question of their consideration shall be immediately put without debate 27 - 29, 30 Concurrent and other resolutions. Order in which the Chair shall call for, under ' ' morning business " 7 1 9 Conference. Reports of committees of conference shall always be in order, and the question of their consider- ation be immediately put without debate 27 - 29, 30 Confidential communications from the President, and all treaties, proceedings, and remarks thereon, shall be kept secret 36 3 35 Confidential business of the Senate. Penalties for disclosing the 36 4 36 Shall be kept in a separate book 4 2 7 Contingent fund of the Senate shall be referred to the Com- mittee on Contingent Expenses. All resolutions for the payment of money from the 25 1 24 Court of Claims. To refer private bills to the 15 3 17 Credentials of Senators elect shall always be in order, and be proceeded with until disposed of by the Senate. The presentation of 6 1 7, 8 D. Daily sessions. Commencement of 3 - 6 Day certain. When a question is pending, a motion may be made to postpone to a 22 - 21 Debate. If a Senator in speaking, or otherwise, transgress the rules, the Presiding Officer shall, or any Senator may, call him to order 19 4 20 When called to order he shall sit down, and shall not pro- ceed without leave of the Senate 19 4 20 If leave be granted to proceed, it shall be on motion, and determined without 19 4 20 Index to the Standing Rides of the Setiate. 49 Rule. Clause. I'age. Debate. If a Senator be called to order for words spoken in debate, the exceptionable words, if required, shall be taken down 19 5 20 The Presiding Officer shall name the Senator who is to speak, who, in all cases, shall be the Senator who shall first address the Chair 19 1 19 No Senator shall interrupt another without his consent, to obtain which he shall first address the Chair 19 1 19 No Senator shall impute to another Senator any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator 19 2 19 NoSenator shall refer offensively to anyState of theUnion. 19 3 19 No Senator shall speak more than twice on any one ques- tion on the same day without leave of the Senate, to be determined without 19 r 19 A motion to close, signed by sixteen Senators 22 - 21 To be decided by a two- thirds vote, without debate 22 - 22 Upon the merits of the question. A motion to take up a subject shall be decided without 7 3 10 Petitions and memorials to be presented and referred without 7 5 10 No Senator to speak but once, and for five minutes only, on bills and resolutions upon the Calendar not objected to . 8 - 11 A motion to lay before the Senate any bill or other mat- ter sent to the Senate b3>- the President or House of Representatives shall be decided without 7 6 11 A motion made before 2 o'clock to proceed to the con- sideration of any matter shall be determined without. . 8 - 12 A motion to change the order of special orders or to pro- ceed to the consideration of other business shall be decided without 10 2 13 Decision is announced. No Senator shall, under any circum- stances, be permitted to vote after a 12 1 13 But he may, for special reasons, by unanimous consent, change or withdraw his vote after a 12 1 13, 14 Any motion or resolution may be withdrawn or modi- fied, except a motion to reconsider before an amend- ment, ordering the yeas and nays, or before a 21 2 21 Departments, heads of, no communications to be sent by, ex- cept authorized by law unless transmitted by the President (Note) 16 Dilatory motions. When motion to close debate is agreed to, no, nor dilatory amendments are in order 22 - 22 50 Index to the Standing Rules of the Se?iate. Rule. Clause. Page. Discharge of a committee. A motion to discharge a commit- tee from a subject shall lie one day for consideration, unless 26 2 29 All subjects from which a committee shall be discharged shall also lie one day for consideration, unless 26 2 29 Division of a question. If the question in debate contain several points any Senator may have the same divided . . 18 - 19 A motion to strike out and insert shall not be divided .. . 18 - 19 Doors to be closed. On the discussion of any business which may in the opinion of a Senator require secrecy, upon a motion made and seconded the Presiding Officer shall direct the 35 - 34 E. Enrolled bills. (See Bills and joint resolutions.) Exceptionable words shall be taken down. If a Senator be called to order for words spoken in debate, the 19 5 20 Excused from voting. In calling the yeas and nays, each Senator, when his name is called, shall answer without debate, unless for special reasons he be 12 1 13 When reasons shall be assigned for not voting, their suffi- ciency shall be determined without debate 12 2 14 These proceedings shall be after the roll is called, and before the decision is announced 12 2 14 Executive business, a motion to proceed to consideration of, shall be decided without debate 22 - 21 The President shall have a seat on the right of the Chair v/hen he shall meet the Senate for consideration of ... 36 1 34 The Senate shall be cleared of all persons except the offi- cers in attendance (who shall be sworn to secrecy) when acting upon. (See also note. ) 36 2 35 Unless the Senate is in open Executive session 36 2 35 All confidential communications made by the President, and all treaties, and remarks, votes, and proceedings thereon, shall be kept secret, except as provided 36 3 35, 36 Any person who shall disclose the secret proceedings of the Senate shall, if a Senator, be liable to expulsion; if an officer, to dismissal 36 4 36 All documents or papers communicated to the Senate by the President or the head of any Department, relating to any matter secret or confidential under the rules, shall be considered as confidential 36 5 36 Proceedings upon treaties. (See Treaties.) Proceedings upon nominations. (See Nominations.) Index to the Standing Rides of the Senate. 51 Rule. Clause. Page. Executive record. The President shall, from time to time, be furnished with an authenticated transcript of the . . 39 - 40 No further extracts shall be furnished by the Secretary without an order of the Senate 39 - 40 Executive proceedings of the Senate shall be kept in a sepa- rate book 4 2 7 Extra copies of documents shall be referred to the Committee on Printing. Motion to print 29 2 31 When the cost of additional copies shall exceed five hun- dred dollars the concurrence of the House shall be necessary 29 2 31 Extracts from the Executive Journal shall not be given with- out an order of the Senate 39 - 40 F. Floor of the Senate. Persons entitled to admission to the. ... 33 - 32,33 G. Galleries, confusion in the, etc., duty of Chair to enforce order in 19 5 20 Galleries to be cleared and the doors closed, on discussing a question requiring secrecy. The Chair shall direct the, on a motion made, etc 35 - 34 General appropriation bills. All general appropriation bills shall be refessed to the Committee on Appropriations, except the bill making appropriations for rivers and harbors, the agricultural bill, the Army and the Mili- tary Academy bills, the Indian bill, the naval bill, the pension bill, and the Post Office bill 16 1 17 To proceed to the consideration of, a privileged motian. . 9 - 12 Amendments to. No amendments shall be received which shall increase the appropriation, unless to carry- out some existing law or resolution of the Senate, or by direction of a standing or select committee, or in pur- suance of an estimate of the head of a Department. ... 12 1 17 All amendments proposing to increase an appropriation shall one day previous to being offered be referred to the Committee on Appropriations 16 2 17 No amendment shall be proposed to an amendment increasing the amount in such amendment 16 2 17 Amendments moved by direction of a committee shall be first referred to the Committee on Appropriations 16 2 17 No amendment proposing general legislation, or that is not germane or relevant to the subject of the bill, shall be received 16 3 18 52 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. Eule. Clause. Page. General appropriation bills. No amendment to any item or clause that does not directly relate thereto shall be received 16 3 18 All questions of relevancy or amendments shall be de- cided by the Senate without debate 16 3 18 No amendment providing for a private claim, unless to carry out a law or treaty stipulation, shall be received. 16 4 18 Aey amendment to a general appropriation bill may be laid on the table 16 3 18 General legislation to general appropriation bills. No amend- ment shall be admitted proposing 16 3 18 General orders. (See Calendar.) Germane, No amendment to any appropriation bill shall be offered which is not relevant or 16 3 18 I. Impeachment, court of. Proceedings recorded 4 2 7 Indefinite postponement. When a question is pending, a motion may be made for 22 - 21 Indian treaties shall, unless transmitted by the President in confidence, be acted upon in legislative session 37 3 38 Injunction of secrecy. All confidential communications from the President, and all treaties, and remarks and pro- ceedings thereon, are embraced within the 36 3 35, 36 All information given or remarks made by a Senator touching the character or qualifications of a nominee, and all votes on a nomination, are within the 38 2 38, 39 A person nominated may be notified of charges made against him, but the name of the person making them shall not be disclosed ^8 2 39 A Senator disclosing the confidential or secret business of the Senate shall be liable to expulsion 36 4 36 An officer of the Senate committing a like offense shall be dismissed and punished for contempt 36 4 36 J- Journal. A quorum being present, the Journal of the pre- vious day's session shall be read, and any mistake in the entries corrected t 3 1 6 The reading of the, shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent 3 1 6 A motion to amend the Journal shall be deemed a privi- leged question and be proceeded with until disposed of . 3 1 6 The proceedings of the Senate shall be briefly and accu- rately stated on the 4 1 6 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 53 Rule. Clause. Page. Journal. Every vote of the Senate, and a brief statement of each memorial or paper presented, shall be entered on the 4 1 7 The legislative, executive, and impeachment proceedings of the Senate shall be each recorded in a separate 4 2 7 L. Laid on the table. The preamble to a bill or resolution may, without carrying the bill or resolution, be 23 - 23 A motion to reconsider may be, without carrying the subject, and shall be a final disposition thereof 13 1 14 An amendment to a general appropriation bill may be. . . 16 3 18 An appeal from the decision of the Chair may be 20 1 20 When a question is pending, a motion may be made to lay on the table, which shall be decided without debate. . . 22 - 22 Leave to introduce a bill. May be offered if no objection. . . 14 1 15 Leave of the Senate. A motion to reconsider shall not be withdrawn without 21 2 21 No Senator shall absent himself from the service of the Senate without 5 1 7 No Senator shall speak more than twice on any one ques- tion on the same day without 19 1 19 A Senator when called to order shall sit down and shall not proceed without 19 4 20 No memorial or other paper, except original treaties, shall be withdrawn without 30 1 31 Legislative business. The legislative business of the Senate shall be continued from session to session of the same Congress 32 - 32 The legislative proceedings of the Senate shall be recorded in a separate book 4 2 7 M. Majority. A motion to reconsider a vote may be decided by a 13 1 15 All questions upon a treaty, except on the question of ratification, and on a motion to postpone indefinitely, shall be by a 37 1 37 Measure. Motion to close debate on a pending 22 - 21 To be decided by a two-thirds vote, without debate 22 - 22 After agreeing to vote on, a Senator may only speak one hour, and amendments 22 - 22 54 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. Rule. Clause. Page. Memorials mid petitions shall be referred without putting the question 7 4 10 Before being presented or read they shall be signed, in- dorsed with a brief statement of their contents, and referred without debate 7 5 10 Manner of presentation of after morning hour 7 2 9, 10 Of foreign citizens or subjects shall not be received unless through the President 7 5 10, 1 1 Where an adverse report has been made they shall not be withdrawn, unless copies are left with the Secretary . . 30 2 31 Shall not be withdrawn from the files without leave of the Senate 30 1 31 When an act has passed for the settlement of a private claim, the Secretary may transmit the papers to the accounting officers 30 1 31 Merits of the question proposed to be considered. It shall not be in order to discuss the 7 3 10 Messages from the President and from the House of Repre- sentatives may be received at any stage of the proceed- ings except 28 1 30 To the House and communications to the President shall be taken by the Secretary 28 2 30 Modify the Rules. (See Rules.) Morning business. Order in which it is laid before the Sen- ate, after the Journal is read 7 1 9 Until concluded, or until 1 o'clock, no motion to proceed to the consideration of any bill, resolution, etc. , upon the Calendar shall be entertained unless by unanimous consent, and shall not be subject to amendment, and shall be decided without debate on the merits of the subject 7 3 10 At the conclusion of the, for each day, unless otherwise ordered, the Calendar of Bills and Resolutions shall be proceeded with until 2 o'clock 8 - 11 The order of, which shall not be interrupted, unless by unanimous consent, prescribed 7 1 9 No motion to proceed to the consideration of subjects on the Calendar shall be received during, or up to 1 o'clock, except by unanimous consent, during the 73 10 A motion received by unanimous consent to take up a subject shall not be open to amendment, and shall be decided without debate on the merits of the question . . 73 10 Morning hour. Terminates two hours after meeting of Senate. 8(Note3)n Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 55 Rule. Cl»use. Fig*. Motions. A motion to lay before the Senate bills or other matter sent to the Senate by the President or House of Representatives, in order at any time 7 6 11 To reconsider shall be decided by a majority vote 13 1 15 Before a motion shall be debated it shall, if required, be reduced to writing 21 1 2 r Which may be made when a question is under considera- tion; their order and precedence 22 - 21 A motion or resolution may be withdrawn or modified before a division, amendment, or ordering of the yeas and nays 21 2 21 A motion to reconsider shall not be withdrawn without leave of the Senate 21 2 21 A motion to close debate signed by sixteen Senators 22 -21, 22 To be decided by a two-thirds vote, without debate 22 - 22 A motion to discharge a committee shall lie over one day for consideration, unless by unanimous consent 26 2 29 N. Nominations. The question on their confirmation shall not be put on the same day on which they are received, nor on the day on which they may be reported, unless. ... 38 1 38 Shall be prepared for the printer bj' the Official Reporter, and printed in the Record; also nominations recalled, confirmations, and rejections 38 (Note)38 The Secretary shall furnish the Official Reporters with a list of nominations, and a like list of all confirmations and rejections 38 (Note)38 The Secretary shall furnish to the press, and to the public upon request, the names of nominees confirmed or rejected, except 38 (Note)38 Discussions upon the character and qualifications of a nominee and the votes upon a nomination shall be kept secret 38 2 38, 39 The person nominated may be notified of charges against him, but the name of the party making them shall not be disclosed 38 2 39 A motion to reconsider the vote on a nomination may be made within next two days of actual session 38 3 39 Notice of confirmation shall not be sent to the President until the expiration of next two days of actual session . . 38 4 39 When the President has been notified of a confirmation, a motion to reconsider must be accompanied by a re- quest to the President to return the notification of con- firmation 38 3 39 56 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. Rule. Clause. Page. Nominations. A motion to reconsider the vote on a nomina- tion may be laid on the table, which shall be final 38 3 39 Upon an adjournment of Congress, or a recess of more than thirty days, all motions to reconsider shall fall, and the nominations stand as confirmed or rejected, as the case may be 38 5 39 Not confirmed or rejected at one session shall not be con- sidered at the next session unless renominated 38 6 40 Upon an adjournment of Congress, or on taking a recess of thirty days, all nominations not finally acted upon shall be returned to the President 38 6 40 O. Oaths of office. The oaths required by the Constitution and prescribed by law shall be taken and subscribed by Sen- ators in open Senate before entering upon their duties .2-6 Forms of 41 Order of business. After the conclusion of the morning busi- ness, prescribed 8 - 11 After the consideration of cases not objected to upon the Calendar is completed, and not later than 2 o'clock, prescribed 9 - 21 Order in debate. When a Senator shall be called to order, he shall sit down, and shall not proceed without leave of the Senate, which shall be determined without debate .19 4 20 No Senator shall speak to or interrupt another without his consent, to obtain which he shall first address the Chair 19 1 19 No Senator shall impute to another Senator any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator ........ 19 2 19 No Senator shall refer offensively to any State of the Union 19 3 19 If a Senator be called to order for words spoken in de- bate, the exceptionable words, if required, shall be taken down 19 5 20 The Presiding Officer shall name the Senator who is to speak, who shall in all cases be the one who shall first address the Chair .- 19 1 19 No Senator shall speak more than twice on any one ques- tion on the same day without leave of the Senate, to be determined without debate 19 1 19 A motion to take up a subject shall not be open to debate on the merits of the subject proposed to be considered . 7 3 10 Index to the Sta?idi?ig Rules of the Senate. 57 Rale. Clause. Page. Order in the galleries. (See Galleries.) Order, questions of. A question of order ma)- be raised at any time except, and shall be decided by the Chair with- out debate 20 1 20 An appeal may be taken from the decision of the Chair on a question of order 20 1 20 The Chair may submit any question of order to the deci- sion of the Senate 20 2 20 When an appeal is taken from the decision of the Chair, any subsequent question of order or appeal shall be decided without debate 20 1 20 An appeal may be laid on the table, which shall be re- garded as sustaining the decision of the Chair 20 1 20 When motion to close debate is agreed to, all, including relevancy of amendments and appeals, to be decided without debate 22 - 22 P. Papers. When the reading of a paper is called for, and ob- jection be made, it shall be submitted to the Senate without debate 11 - 13 Printing of 29 1 30 No papers, except original treaties, shall, without leave of the Senate, be withdrawn from its files 30 1 31 When an act has passed for the settlement of a private claim, the Secretary may transmit the papers to the ac- counting officers 30 1 31 When a claim has been adversely reported on, and the report be agreed to, the papers shall not be referred from the files without new evidence 31 - 31, 32 Where an adverse report has been made, papers shall not be withdrawn without leaving copies with the Secretary. 30 2 -31 Pending measure. Amendment proposed to any, is laid on the table without carrying the measure to the table or prejudicing the same 17 - 18 To close debate on a 22 - 21, 22 Petitions, before being presented, must be signed, indorsed with a brief statement of their contents, and referred without debate 7 5 10 Manner of presentation of 7 2 9, 10 Order in which the Chair shall call for, in the morning hour. 71 6 Order to print in Record covers body of petition only. . . 7(Notei) II No petition or other paper signed by citizens or subjects of a foreign power shall be received unless through the President 7 5 10, 1 1 58 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. Rule. Clause. Page. Petitions . Every petition shall be referred without putting the question, unless there be objection 7 4 10 Plurality of votes. Select committees and the members of standing committees (except the chairman) shall be elected by a 24 1 23 Postpone indefinitely. When a question is pending, a motion may be made to 22 - 21 Preamble to a resolution. The question shall be first put upon the resolution, and last on the preamble 23 - 22 To a resolution may be withdrawn before an amendment or ordering of the yeas and nays. It may also be laid on the table 23 - 22, 23 To a bill shall be last put to question, and may also be laid on the table 23 - 22, 23 President of the United States. Heads of departments not to send communications except through the (Note) 16 President pro tempore. (See Presiding Officer.} Presiding Officer of the Senate. In the absence of the Vice- President, the Senate shall choose a President pro tem- pore 1 1 5 Tenure of office of President pro tempore 1 (Note 1) 5 In the absence of the Vice-President and pending the election of a President pro tempore, the Secretary, or, in his absence, the Chief Clerk, shall perform the duties of the Chair 1 2 5 He shall have the right to name a Senator to occupy the Chair, who shall not hold beyond an adjournment except 13 5 In the event of a vacancy in the office of Vice-President the, shall have the right to name a Senator to occupy the Chair 1 4 5, 6 He may at any time lay before the Senate bills or other matter sent to the Senate by the President or House of Representatives 7 6 11 The Presiding Officer shall decide every question of order without debate, subject to an appeal to the Senate 20 1 20 He may submit any question of order without decision to the Senate 20 2 20 Senator designated by President pro tempore to perform duties of the chair may sign enrolled bills (Note 1)6 Printing. Every motion to print, except to print bills, reports of committees, resolutions, communications from State legislatures and conventions, and motions to print, made by direction of committees, shall be referred to the Committee on, unless 29 1 30 Index to the Standing Rides of the Senate. 59 Rule. Clause. Page. Printing. All reports of committees, unless for the dispatch of business the printing be dispensed with, shall be printed 29 3 31 Motions to print additional numbers shall be referred to the Committee on 29 2 31 When the cost of printing additional numbers shall exceed five hundred dollars, it shall be by concurrent resolution. 29 2 31 Every bill, joint resolution, and report of committee shall be printed unless 29 3 31 Private bill. May be referred to Court of Claims 15 3 17 Private claim. No memorial or other papers relating to, shall be withdrawn from the files without leave of the Senate . 30 1 31 Where a private act has passed, the Secretary may transmit the papers to the ofiicer charged with the settlement . . 30 1 31 No private claim, which has been rejected, shall be again referred from the files without new evidence 31 -31, 32 Where an adverse report has been made on a private claim, the papers shall not be withdrawn without leaving copies 30 2 31 No amendment shall be proposed to any general appro- priation bill whose object is to provide for a, unless. . . 16 4 18 Private secretary of Senator shall not be admitted to the floor until borne upon the rolls of the Secretary as such 33 - 33 Privileged motions, save as against a motion to adjourn, to proceed to Executive business, or questions of privilege, and shall be decided without debate 9 - 12 Privileges of the floor 33 - 32, 33 Q- Question of order shall be decided by the Chair, without debate, subject to an appeal to the Senate. Every. ... 20 1 20 When motion to close debate is agreed to, every, including relevancy of amendments and appeals, to be decided without debate 22 - 22 Question of order. The Chair may submit any question of or- der to the decision of the Senate 20 2 20 When an appeal is taken from the decision of the Chair, any subsequent question of order or appeal shall be de- cided without debate 20 1 20 An appeal from the decision of the Chair may be laid on the table, which shall be held to affirm the decision of the Chair 20 1 20 Question of privilege. A motion to amend or correct the Journal shall be deemed a, and shall be proceeded with until disposed of 3 1 6 When in order 6 1 7, 8 Certain privileged motions may be submitted 9 - 12 60 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. Rule. Clause. Pa? e . Question under debate contains several points, any Senator may call for a division. If the 18 - 19 But a motion to strike out and insert shall not be divided . 18 - 19 But, pending a motion to strike out and insert, each part shall be regarded as a question; and the part to be stricken out shall be first open to amendment 18 - 19 Quorum. The journal of the proceedings of the preceding day shall be read, there being present a 3 1 6 Shall consist of a majority of the Senators duly chosen and sworn 3 2 6 The presence of a quorum being questioned, the Chair shall direct the roll to be called to ascertain the presence of a . 52 7 A majority of the Senators present may request or com- pel the attendance of Senators to make a 5 3 7 Pending the execution of the order requiring the pres- ence of absent Senators, no debate or motion shall be in order but to adjourn 5 3 7 No request for unanimous consent for final vote on a bill, etc. , shall be submitted until a roll call shows a, present .123 14 Of committees, composed of more than three Senators to be fixed by the members 25 3 29 R. Reading of a paper. When the reading of a paper is called for, and it be objected to, it shall be decided by the Senate without debate 11 - 13 Recess. Pending the consideration of a question, a motion, which shall be decided without debate, may be made for a. 22 - 21 Recess of the Senate for more than thirty days. All nomina- tions and motions to reconsider nominations shall fall upon a 38 5 39 Reconsideration. A motion to reconsider may be made by any Senator voting on the side that prevailed 13 1 14 A motion to reconsider may be made within the two next daysof actual session, andshall be decided byamajority. 13 1 14 When a bill or other matter shall have gone out of the possession of the Senate, the motion to reconsider shall be accompanied by a request for the return of the same 13 2 15 Which last motion shall be determined at once and with- out debate 13 2 15 If the Senate shall refuse to reconsider a vote, or upon consideration shall reaffirm its first decision, it shall not be in order to move to reconsider unless 13 1 14, 15 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 61 Rule. Clause. Page. Reconsideration. A motion to reconsider may be laid on the table without prejudice to the main question 13 1 14 And if laid on the table, shall be a final disposition of the motion 13 1 15 A motion to reconsider shall not be withdrawn without leave of the Senate 21 2 21 A motion to reconsider a vote on a nomination may be laid on the table, and shall be final 38 3 39 A motion to reconsider a vote on a nomination returned to the President must be accompanied by a request for its return to the Senate 38 3 39 Motions to reconsider nominations shall fall, upon a recess of thirty days or on final adjournment 38 5 39 Reduced to writing. Before a motion shall be debated, if re- quired, it shall be 21 1 21 Reference to a committee. A motion to refer shall not be open to amendment unless it be to add instructions 26 1 29 A motion to refer to a standing committee shall have precedence of a motion to refer to a select committee . . 26 1 29 Every bill and joint resolution shall be read twice before . 14 3 15 Before the final vote on the passage of a bill or resolution it shall be in order to move its 15 2 17 Relevant to the subject-matter thereof. No amendment shall be proposed to any general appropriation bill which shall not be germane or 16 3 18 Reports of committees. The order in which they shall be called for by the Chair under * ' morning business "... 71 9 If objected to, the consideration of the report of a com- mittee shall lie over one day 26 2 29 All reports of committees shall be printed, unless for the dispatch of business the printing be dispensed with 29 3 31 Reports of committees of conference shall always be in order, and when made the question of their consideration shall be immediately put and decided without debate . . 27 - 29, 30 Resolutions. The order in which they shall be called for by the Chair under ' ' morning business " 7 1 9 Not objected to, to be taken up in their order 8- 11 When accompanied by a preamble, the question shall be first put on the resolution, then on the preamble, which may be withdrawn or laid on the table 23 - 22, 23 A resolution may be withdrawn or modified by the mover before an amendment or ordering of the yeas and nays. 212 21 62 Index to the Standi?ig Rules of the Senate. Rule. Clause. Page. Resolutions. A resolution to pay money out of the contingent fund shall be referred to the Committee on Contingent Expenses 25 1 24 All resolutions shall, if their consideration be objected to, lie over one day 14 5 16 Reve?iue bills, to proceed to the consideration of, a privileged motion 9 - 12 Rules. No motion to suspend, modify, or amend any rule, except on one day's notice in writing 40 - 40 Any rule may be suspended, modified, or amended with- out notice by unanimous consent, except Rule XII .... 40 - 40 But no motion shall be in order to suspend Rule XII, in respect to voting J 4° ~ 4° I 12 1 14 S. Secrecy. The galleries shall be cleared and the doors closed on the discussion of a question that may require 35 - 34 All confidential communications from the President, and all treaties and debates and proceedings thereon, shall be kept secret 36 3 35, 36 All matters touching the character and qualifications of a nomination, and all votes and proceedings thereon, shall be kept secret 38 2 38, 39 Removal of injunction of secrecy from Report of Com- mittee on Rules. (Note 3) 36 3 35 Removal of injunction of secrecy from any part of the proceedings shall be entered in the Legislative Journal and Executive Journal, and published in the Record (Note 3) 36 3 35 A Senator disclosing the confidential or secret business of the Senate shall be liable to expulsion 36 4 36 An officer of the Senate committing a like offense shall be dismissed and punished for a contempt 36 4 36 Secrecy. All documents or papers communicated to the Senate by the President or the head of any depart- ment, relating to any matter secret or confidential under the rules, shall be considered as confidential. ... 36 5 36 Secretary of Senate. When to perform duties of the Chair. . 12 5 To keep record of certificates of election of Senators .... 62 8 To transmit papers in relation to claims to committee before whom claim is pending 31 - 32 Senate Chamber. Shall not be granted for any other purpose than for the use of the Senate 34 1 34 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 63 Rule. Clause. Page. Senate Chamber. No smoking permitted in the 34 1 34 When confusion arises in the, or galleries, Chair on his own motion must enforce order 19 6 20 Senators. Not to absent themselves from the service of the Senate without leave 5 1 7 Not to speak but once, and for five minutes only, on bills and resolutions on the Calendar not objected to 8 - 11 After a motion is agreed to to close debate on a pending measure and amendments, no Senator may speak more than one hour 22 - 22 Smoking, no, shall be permitted in the Senate Chamber 34 1 34 Special orders. The unfinished business shall take preced- ence of the 10 1 13 Consideration of the Calendar of Bills and Resolutions at the conclusion of morning business until 2 o'clock takes precedence of 8 - 11 Any subject may be made a special order by a vote of two-thirds 10 1 13 Unless there be unfinished business, the Chair shall lay before the Senate the 10 1 13 Special orders for same hour and day shall have preced- ence according to time at which they were made such. 10 2 13 Special orders shall not lose their character as such unless by a vote of the Senate 10 2 13 Every special order shall, unless there be unfinished busi- ness, be called up when the hour assigned shall arrive. 10 1 13 All motions to change to be decided without debate 10 2 13 Speak more than twice in any one debate on the same day without leave of the Senate. No Senator shall 19 1 19 Speak. The Presiding Officer shall name who is to speak, but the Senator first rising shall be first recognized 19 1 19 Standing committees 25 - 23-28 Standing Rides of Senate - - 5 Suspension of the rules. One day's notice in writing required to suspend, amend, or modify an}- rule of the Senate. . 40 - 40 Rule XII, in relation to voting, shall never, under any circumstances, be suspended \^° ~ 4 ° 1 12 1 14 T. Table. An amendment to a general appropriation bill may be laid on the 16 3 18 A motion to reconsider may be laid on the 13 1 15 And if carried shall be held to be a final disposition of the motion 13 1 15 64 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. Rule. Clause. Pa^e. Table. When an amendment proposed to any pending meas- ure is laid on the, it shall not carry with it nor prejudice such measure 17 - 18 When a question is pending, a motion may be made to lay on the, which shall be decided without debate 22 - 21 Preamble of a bill or resolution may be withdrawn or laid on the, without prejudice to the bill or resolution 23 - 22, 23 An appeal from the decision of the Chair may be laid on the 20 1 20 If laid on the table, it shall be held as affirming the decision of the Chair 20 1 20 All reports of committees, motions to discharge a com- mittee, and subjects from which a committee may be discharged shall lie over one day for consideration, unless 26 2 29 Title. May read bills the first and second times by, only, unless 14 2 15 Treaties. When a treaty is laid before the Senate, no motion shall be made in reference to it but to refer or to print it, to remove injunction of secrecy, or to consider it in open Executive session 37 1 36 A treaty shall not be considered on the same day that it is reported, if objected to 37 1 36 After being acted upon as in Committee of the Whole it shall be reported to the Senate 37 1 37 When the question will be, if amended, on concurring in the amendments made in Committee of the Whole. .. . 37 1 37 Injunction of secrecy may be removed at any stage of proceedings, or treaty may be considered in open Ex- ecutive session 37 1 37 After which the resolution of ratification may be pro- posed on a subsequent day, unless 37 1 37 When the question shall be on the resolution of ratifica- tion, no amendment shall be in order, except 37 1 37 The question of ratification and a motion to postpone in- definitely shall each require a vote of two-thirds 37 1 37 All amendments and other motions may be decided by a majority, except a motion to postpone indefinitely 37 1 37 Shall be resumed at the second or any subsequent session of same Congress, at the stage when last acted upon 37 2 37 When proceedings shall terminate with a Congress, they shall be resumed de novo 37 2 37, 38 Indian treaties shall, unless transmitted by the Presi- dent in confidence, be acted upon in legislative session. 37 3 38 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 65 U. Rule. CUuse. Page. Unanimous consent. The reading of the Journal may be sus- pended by 31 6 Until the morning business is concluded, or until the hour of 1 o'clock, no motion to proceed to any other subject shall be received, unless by 7 3 10 After a decision is announced, a Senator may change or withdraw his vote by 12 1 13, 14 When the Senate shall refuse to reconsider a vote, or reaf- firm its first decision, no motion to reconsider can be received but by 13 1 14, 15 Each bill shall receive three readings before passage on three different days, unless by 14 2 15 A bill may be read twice for reference, but not considered as in Committee of the Whole, nor debated, unless by. 14 3 15,16 No amendment shall be proposed to a bill on its third reading, unless by 15 2 16, 17 All resolutions shall lie over one day, unless by 14 5 16 All reports of committees, motions to discharge a com- mittee, and. subjects from which a committee may be discharged, shall lie over one day, unless by 26 2 29 Any rule of the Senate can be suspended without noticeJ4o - 40 by, except as provided in Rule XII [12 1 14 Treaties shall not be acted upon on the day on which they are reported, unless by 37 1 36 Resolution of ratification shall not be considered on the same day it is proposed, unless by 37 1 37 Nominations shall not be confirmed on the day they are received, or on which reported, unless by 38 1 38 Order of morning business changed only by 7 1 9 No request for, to vote on a bill, etc., shall be submitted until the roll is called to ascertain if a quorum is present .123 14 Unfinished business shall have preference over the special orders 10 1 13 Consideration of the Calendar of Bills and Resolutions at the conclusion of the morning business, until 2 o'clock, takes precedence of 8 - 11 Unfinished business of a session. The legislative business of the Senate shall be continued from session to session of the same Congress 32 - 32 V. Vacancies in committees, when filled by the Presiding Officer, shall, unless otherwise ordered, be only to fill up the number on the committee 24 2 23 66 Index to the Sta?iding Rules of the Senate. Rule. Clause. Page. Vice-President. In the absence of the Vice-President, the Senate shall choose a President pro tempore i i 5 In the absence of the, and pending the election of a Presi- dent pro tempore, the Secretary, or, in his absence, the Chief Clerk, shall perform the duties of the Chair 12 5 Voting. When the yeas and nays are called each Senator shall, unless excused from voting, answer when his name is called, without debate 12 1 13 Proceedings when a Senator shall be called on for rea- sons for declining to vote shall be without debate 12 2 14 Further proceedings shall not be had until after the re- sult is announced 12 2 14 A Senator shall not be permitted to vote after the result is announced 12 1 13 But he may, for special reasons, by unanimous consent, withdraw or change his vote 12 1 13, 14 W. Withdrawal of a motion or resolution. A resolution or mo- tion may be withdrawn at any time before amendment or ordering of the yeas and nays 21 2 21 Preamble to a resolution may be withdrawn before amend- ment or ordering of the yeas and nays 23 - 22, 23 A motion to reconsider shall not be withdrawn without leave of the Senate 21 2 21 Withdrawal of papers. No papers except original treaties shall be withdrawn from the files without leave of the Senate 30 1 31 Where an act has passed for a private claim, the papers may be sent by the Secretary to the accounting officers . 30 1 31 No petition on which an adverse report has been made shall be withdrawn without leaving copies 30 2 31 Claims adversely reported on shall not be again referred without new evidence 31 - 31, 32 Without debate. In ascertaining the presence of a quorum, the proceedings shall be 5 2 7 Sergeant-at-Arms may be directed to request or compel attendance of absent Senators 5 3 7 The reading of a paper, when objected to, shall be de- cided 11 - 13 A motion to request the House of Representatives to re- turn a bill shall be decided at once, and 13 2 15 All questions of relevancy of amendments under Rule XVI shall be decided 16 3 18 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 67 Rule. Clause. Pacte. Without debate. A motion to permit a Senator to proceed in order shall be decided 19 4 20 A motion for leave to speak more than twice in one de- bate shall be decided 19 1 19 All questions of order shall be decided by the Chair 20 1 20 Subsequent questions of order and appeals shall be decided 20 1 20 Motions to adjourn, for a recess, for executive business, and to lay on the table shall be decided 22 - 21 A motion to proceed to consideration of a conference report shall be decided 27 - 30 Each Senator, when the yeas and nays are called, shall, when his name is called, answer 12 1 13 Reasons for excusing a Senator from voting shall be determined 12 2 14 Motion signed by sixteen Senators to bring debate to a close on a pending measure shall be decided 22 - 22 Points of order, questions of relevancy, and appeals relat- ing to above motion to be decided 22 - 22 Words spoken in debate, if required, shall be taken down in writing. Exceptionable 19 5 20 Y. Yeas and nays. Each Senator shall, when his name is called, answer openly, and without debate 12 1 13 A Senator shall be required to assign reasons for not voting, which shall be without debate 12 2 14 He shall not be called on for reasons for not voting until after the roll call and before the result of the vote is announced 12 2 14 Other proceedings shall be after such announcement. ... 12 2 14 A Senator shall not be permitted to vote after the result is announced 12 1 13 For special reasons, by unanimous consent, he may withdraw or change his vote 12 1 13, 14 Any motion or resolution may be withdrawn or modified by the mover at any time before a decision, amend- ment, or ordering of the 21 2 21 RULES FOR THE REGULATION OF THE SENATE WING OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL. ADOPTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON RULES. RULE I. SERGEANT- AT- ARMS. The Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, under the direction of the Presiding Officer, shall be the Executive Officer of the bod}' for the enforcement of all rules made by the Committee on Rules for the regulation of the Senate Wing of the Capitol and Senate Annex. The Senate floor shall be at all times under his immediate, supervision, and he shall see that the various subordinate officers of his department perform the duties to which they are especialW assigned. ASSISTANT SERGEANT-AT-ARMS. That the clerk to the Sergeant-at-Anns shall hereafter be designated as "Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms,'' and shall perform the duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms in his absence, except as provided in Rule II. RULE II. ASSISTANT DOORKEEPER AND ACTING ASSISTANT DOORKEEPER. The First Assistant Doorkeeper and Second Assistant Door- keeper shall be assigned, during the daity sessions of the Senate, to duty upon the Senate floor. They shall see that the messengers 69 70 Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing, assigned to the doors upon the Senate floor are at their posts, and that the floor and cloakrooms are cleared at least five minutes before the opening of daily sessions of all persons not entitled to remain there. In the absence of the Sergeant-at- Arms the duties of his office, so far as they pertain to the enforcement of rules, shall devolve uj5on the Assistant Door- keepers in the order of their rank. RULE III. MESSENGERS ACTING AS ASSISTANT DOORKEEPERS. The messengers acting as Assistant Doorkeepers shall be assigned to their duties by the Sergeant-at-Arms. RULE IV. 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 galleries of the Senate shall be set apart and occupied as follows: PRESS GAU,ERY. The gallery in the rear of the Vice-President's chair shall be set apart for reporters of daily newspapers. Persons desiring admission to the Press Gallery shall make application to the Committee on Rules [as required by Rule IV for the regulation of the Senate Wing of the United States Cap- itol] ; and shall also state, in writing, for what paper or papers they are employed; and shall further state that they are not engaged in the prosecution of claims pending before Congress or the Departments, and will not become so engaged while Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wi?ig. 7 l allowed admission to the gallery; and that they are not in any sense the agents or representatives of persons or corporations having legislation before Congress, and will not become such agents or representatives while retaining their right to places in the gallery. Visiting journalists who may be allowed tempo- rary admission to the gallery must conform to the restrictions of this rule. The applications required by above rule (blank forms for which can be obtained from the Doorkeeper of the Press Gal- lery) shall be authenticated in a manner that shall be satisfac- tory to the Standing Committee of Correspondents, who shall see that the occupation of the gallery is confined to bona fide telegraphic correspondents of reputable standing in their busi- ness, who represent daily newspapers; but not exceeding one seat shall be assigned to each paper; and it shall be the duty of the said Standing Committee, at their discretion, to report viola- tions of the privileges of the gallery to the Senate Committee on Rules, and pending action thereon the offending correspond- ent shall be suspended. Persons employed in the Executive or Legislative Depart- ments of the Government, and persons engaged in other occu- pations whose chief attention is not given to newspaper corre- spondence, shall not be entitled to admission to the Press Gallery; and the press list in the Congressional Directory shall be a list only of persons whose chief attention is given to tele- graphic correspondence for daily newspapers. Correspondents entitled to the privileges of the Press Gallery may be admitted to the Marble Room under such regulations as may be pre- scribed by the Committee on Rules. Members of the families of correspondents are not entitled to admission to the Press Gallery. 72 Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Whig. The Press Gallery, subject to the supervision and control of the Committee on Rules, shall be under the direction of the Standing Committee of Correspondents. DIPLOMATIC GAIXERY. The southern gallery over the main entrance to the Senate Chamber shall be set apart 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 suites, and Senators. The cards of admission to said gallery shall be issued by the Secretary of State, or the Chairman of the Committee on Rules, to such persons as are entitled to its privileges. SENATE CATTERY. The gallery over the east entrance to the Senate Chamber, formerly part of the ladies' gallery, shall be set apart for the exclusive use of the families of Senators and guests visiting their families who shall be designated by some member of the Senator's family. No others shall be admitted, either by card or personal direc- tion, except by the President and Vice-President to their respective reserved seats. Employees of the Senate, except those on duty at the gallery door, shajl be excluded. The front seat in the Senate Gallery, next adjoining the ladies' gallery, shall be set apart for the use of the President, and no person shall be admitted to said seat except upon his order. The seat immediately in the rear of the President's seat shall beset apart for the use of the Vice-President, and no -person shall be admitted thereto except upon his order. Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wi?ig. 73 RESERVED GALLERIES. The reserved galleries shajl be governed by the following rule: The galleries over the western entrance to the Senate Cham- ber and over tjje northeastern corner of said Chamber shall be set apart for the use of the families of Senators, of members of the House of Representatives, of Cabinet ministers, and of judges of the Supreme Court of the United States. Other persons may be admitted to said galleries upon the card of a Senator. The period to which such card of admission shall be limited rests entirely in the discretion of the Senator issuing it. LADIES' GALLERY. The gallery extending from the Senate Gallery to the Diplo- matic Gallery shall be set apart for the use of ladies and ladies accompanied by gentlemen. PUBLIC GALLERIES. The galleries on either side of the western reserved gallery shall be open to the public. RULE V. MARBLE ROOM. The anteroom known as the Marble Room is set apart for Senators and such persons as they may think proper to invite into the same. During the open sessions of the Senate it shall be the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms to see that such occupation of said room is not interfered with by officers of the Senate or other persons. 74 Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing. RULE VI. CLOAKROOMS. No persons shall be admitted to the cloakrooms adjoining the Senate Chamber excepting those entitled to the privileges of the Senate floor under Standing Rule XXXIII. RULE VII. HEATING AND VENTILATING DEPARTMENT. No person shall be admitted to the heating and ventilating department of the Senate Wing of the Capitol, except upon a pass from the Sergeant-at-Arms, or unless accompanied by an officer of the Senate. And all engineers and others who are engaged in heating and ventilating the Senate Wing of the Capitol shall be subject to the orders and in all respects under the direction of the Architect of the Capitol, subject to the approval of the Senate Committee On Rules. [Stat, at I y ., vol. 25, p. 258. RULE VIII. BARBER SHOP AND BATHROOMS. The barber shop, and bathrooms connected therewith, shall be reserved exclusively for the use of Senators. The bathroom in the heating and ventilating department of the Senate Wing shall be for the use of employees of the Senate; and no other persons shall be entitled to its privileges. RULE IX. SENATE RESTAURANT. The large private room of the restaurant shall be reserved exclusively for Senators and their guests. The small private room shall be reserved exclusively for the use of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing. 75 and such use of the private rooms of the restaurant shall not be interfered with. The viands served in the restaurant shall be of the best quality, and the prices for the same shall not exceed those stated in the printed bills of fare, to be previously approved by the Chairman of the Committee on Rules, and said prices shall be subject to modification from time to time as the Chairman of the Committee on Rules may direct. The restaurant shall be kept open during the session of the Senate and during such other parts of the year as the Commit- tee on Rules may direct. The caterer shall give his personal attention and care to the management of the restaurant. The equipment for the tables and for the sendee shall be first class. No spirituous liquors shall be sold, furnished, or kept in the restaurant. All parts of the restaurant, with its kitchen and office, shall be kept scru- pulously clean, and all waste and garbage shall be removed daily. The rooms and vaults connected with the restaurant shall be kept entirely for its use, and shall not be withdrawn from such use for any purpose. The management of the res- taurant and all matters connected therewith shall at all times be subject to such further directions as the Committee on Rules may give. RULE X. CORRIDORS, ETC. The corridors and passageways of the Senate Wing of the Capitol shall be kept open and free from obstructions; and no stands, booths, or counters for the exhibition or sale of any article shall be placed therein. 7° Rules for the Regulatio?i of the Senate Wing. RULE XI. PEDDLING, BEGGING, ETC. Peddling, begging, and the solicitation of book or other sub- scriptions are strictly forbidden in the Senate Wing of the Capitol, and no portion of said wing shall be occupied by signs or other devices for advertising an}* article whatsoever, except- ing time tables in the Post- Office and such signs as may be necessary to designate the entrances to the Senate restaurant. RULE XII. SMOKING. Smoking is prohibited in the elevators, corridors, and passage- ways of the Senate Wing of the Capitol. RULE XIII. CARDS AND COMMUNICATIONS IN THE MORNING HOUR. No cards, letters, or other communications, except letters from Senators' families, and official communications, shall be sent to a Senator in the Chamber during the daily sessions of the Senate before 2 o'clock p. m. , unless he shall so direct. RULE XIV. CARDS AND COMMUNICATIONS DURING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS. No cards, letters, or other communications shall be sent to Senators in the Chamber when the Senate is in executive ses- sion, except cards of Members of the House of Representatives, calls from the Supreme Court of the United States, letters from Senators' families, official communications and telegrams, unless Senators shall direct the messenger at the main door of the Senate Chamber otherwise. Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing. 77 RULE XV. SWEEPING, CLEANING. All sweeping, cleaning, and dusting of the Senate Wing of the Capitol shall be done, as far as practicable, immediately after the adjournment of each day's session of the Senate, and must, in any event, be completed before 8 o'clock a. m. RULE XVI. SENATE ANNEX AND OTHER SENATE BUILDINGS. All provisions of the foregoing rules so far as practicable are made applicable to the building called the Senate Annex, the buildings used for the storage of Senate documents, and the Senate stables. Resolved, That on and after the fourth of March, nineteen hundred and nine, the jurisdiction and functions of the Com- mittee on Rules, United States Senate, hitherto exercised in connection with the Senate Wing of the Capitol, be, and the same are hereby, extended to cover in like manner jurisdiction over the Senate Office Building; and on and after the fourth day of March, nineteen hundred and nine, said committee is hereby authorized and directed to proceed with the arrange- ment of rooms in the Senate Office Building, for the use of Senators. [Sen. Jour., 2d sess. 6oth Cong., p. 186. f LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 021 051 425 9