Category: Powers and Duties of the Houses
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Rules of Proceedings
Houses Powers and Duties: Rules of ProceedingsIn the exercise of their constitutional power to determine their rules of proceedings, the Houses of Congress may not "ignore constitutional restraints or violate fundamental rights, and there should be a reasonable relation between the mode or meth…
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Powers and Duties of the Houses
Judging Elections, Quorum, Rules, Discipline, Journal, Adjournment Constitutional wordingClause 1. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day…
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Powers of the Houses over Members
Powers of the Houses Over MembersCongress has authority to make it an offense against the United States for a Member, during his continuance in office, to receive compensation for services before a government department in relation to proceedings in which the United States is interested. Such a stat…
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Quorum to do Business
Houses Powers and Duties: "A Quorum To Do Business"For many years the view prevailed in the House of Representatives that it was necessary for a majority of the members to vote on any proposition submitted to the House in order to satisfy the constitutional requirement for a quorum. It was…
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Houses Power To Judge Elections
Power To Judge ElectionsEach House, in judging of elections under this clause, acts as a judicial tribunal, with like power to compel attendance of witnesses. In the exercise of its discretion, it may issue a warrant for the arrest of a witness to procure his testimony, without previous subpoena, if…
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Duty to keep a Journal
Duty of the Houses to keep a JournalThe object of the clause requiring the keeping of a Journal is "to insure publicity to the proceedings of the legislature, and a correspondent responsibility of the members to their respective constituents." 1…