Providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President.
- Bill Number
- H.Con.Res. 74
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-12: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T15:08:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 74) sets a specific date, time, and location for a joint session of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to receive a communication from the President of the United States. It facilitates the President's address to Congress, which is a traditional event often used for the annual State of the Union message.
Key Provisions
- Directs both chambers of Congress (House and Senate) to assemble in the Hall of the House of Representatives.
- Specifies the date and time: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 9:00 p.m.
- States the sole purpose: To hear any message or communication the President chooses to deliver.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- None. This is a concurrent resolution, which is a procedural measure agreed upon by both houses of Congress but does not create, amend, or repeal any laws. It simply coordinates congressional proceedings and has no binding legal effect outside Congress.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Minimal; it primarily affects congressional scheduling and may involve logistical support from the House Sergeant at Arms or other Capitol staff for the joint session.
- On citizens: Indirect and routine; the President's address, once delivered, could influence public policy discussions, but the resolution itself has no direct effect on individuals or daily life.
- On international relations: Negligible, unless the President's communication addresses foreign affairs, which is not specified here.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Congress (House and Senate): Directly involved, as members must attend the joint session.
- President of the United States: Enabled to deliver an official address to both chambers.
- Congressional support staff: Responsible for preparing the venue and logistics.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional basis: Supports Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which requires the President to "from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." This resolution operationalizes that duty without mandating the content of the address.
- Legal implications: As a non-binding resolution, it carries no enforceable legal weight but ensures orderly congressional procedure.
- Political implications: Reinforces the tradition of bipartisan cooperation for presidential addresses, potentially highlighting unity in Congress during a key national event, though it could also become a platform for political discourse depending on the address's content.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-12: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2026-02-12: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S616)
- 2026-02-12: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-02-11: Received in the Senate.
- 2026-02-10: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-02-10: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H2116-2117)
- 2026-02-10: Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H2116-2117)
- 2026-02-10: Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H2116-2117)
- 2026-02-10: Submitted in House
- 2026-02-10: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President. — issued 2026-02-10 — PDF (4 pages)
- Providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President. — issued 2026-02-12 — PDF (1 pages)
- Providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President. — issued 2026-02-11 — PDF (2 pages)